Paid Family and Medical Leave: A Helpful Guide on How to Apply for Benefits

Written By Catie Reed

Written by Petrichor Kneeland-Campbell, Community Engagement Associate, Maine Women’s Lobby

Author’s note: I believe that information about public programs should be easily accessible and shareable to as many people as possible. The creation of this blog will hopefully serve as a resource that Maine workers can reference before and during their application for PFML that helps make the process easy to navigate. While working on this blog, I learned a lot of great information about Maine’s PFML program that I hope we captured in the Q and A below. 

Content provided here is from Maine Department of Labor PFML resources and contributors. Information is subject to change, please visit maine.gov/paidleave to stay up-to-date. For specific questions about PFML or your claim, call (207) 621-5024.

Thank you to Reginald Parson, Deputy Director of Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave, for contributing to this blog post.

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What is Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)?

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a new state law that allows Maine workers the ability to take up to 12 weeks of paid time off from work to care for themselves or their loved ones without sacrificing their job or income. Workers and employers contribute a little to a fund so the benefit is there for when they need it most.

This year (2026) PFML benefits started for all covered workers.

I need to take leave…

  • What type of things can I take leave for?

Workers can apply for up to 12 weeks of paid time to step away for medical, parental, family care, military family, or safe leave. Some examples are: welcoming a new baby or adopted child, surgery, caring for a disabled or aging family member, injuries, etc.

  • How do I know if I’m eligible?

If you are a Maine worker and earned at least six times the average weekly wage from all your Maine jobs the year before you need leave (that’s about $7,495 but changes each year), and you have a qualifying reason, you are most likely eligible for Maine’s PFML program!

  • Who is not covered under PFML?

Those that do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria, as well as federal employees, work-study jobs, and incarcerated people who are working.

If you disagree with a decision about your eligibility for leave, you can seek a reconsideration or appeal.  This is outlined at maine.gov/paidleave/employeeappeals

An important note: If you have taken unpaid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave in the same year you are applying for PFML, the weeks you took of FMLA may count against the weeks you can take of PFML.

I believe I am eligible and have a reason to take leave from work…

  • What do I do first?

It is important to find out what PFML plan your employer(s) has for coverage. Many businesses use the State of Maine’s public plan, but some may provide paid family and medical leave coverage through a private plan. Employers are required to notify workers and display workplace posters on PFML to explain more about benefits, premium rates, and worker rights and protections that apply to either the State of Maine’s public PFML plan or their private PFML plan. Applications for private PFML plans are different from the State’s public PFML plan. Once you learn more about your employer’s PFML plan, you can apply to the appropriate place.

Workers also have to notify their employer(s) in writing of their need to take leave. If you know in advance, you are required to give at least 30 days’ notice to your employer. For emergency situations you must notify your employer as soon as possible.

Written notice should include…

  • The reason for the leave (examples: family leave, medical leave, safe leave, etc.)

  • Schedule information and anticipated timing. Here are some examples:

    • 5 weeks of continuous leave from October 1 through November 4; OR

    • 12 weeks of reduced schedule leave to 24 hours a week from October 1 through December 23.

  • Other relevant information.

Important notes: If you've worked for your employer for at least 120 consecutive days, you are entitled to return to the same job or to a comparable position when your leave ends.

Employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers who request or take paid leave. You can visit the Maine Department of Labor webpage on worker protections (maine.gov/paidleave/workerprotections) to learn more and find out how to contact the Maine Department of Labor if you have questions.

  • I am in the public plan, how do I prepare to apply?

There are a couple of things a worker can do to prepare.  Provide your notice to your employer – as stated above.  

Then you will need to apply to the State of Maine PFML plan.  When you start your application you will likely need to explain your leave request and payment information: 

  • The reason for your leave, 

  • The time and schedule; 

  • Your employer(s) information; 

  • Your contact and personal information; 

  • Financial information - where to send benefit payments.

There are also documents you can be prepared to submit or complete for your application:

  • Proof of identity (a drivers license, state ID, birth certificate, etc.); 

  • Medical certification from a healthcare provider (for yourself or your family member); 

  • A form explaining your relationship to your family member; 

  • Or in cases of Safe Leave, complete a form stating your need for safe leave. 

This is not a full list, but should give you an idea of what to prepare for when you start your application.

I am ready to apply…

  • Where do I go first?

For the State of Maine public PFML plan you will apply through Aflac. Maine PFML contracts with Aflac to administer the applications and benefits.  To apply, you can visit Maine.gov/paidleave, click on “I am a worker” on the home page and scroll to “submit an application” which will take you to the Aflac portal.

You will follow the application process through Aflac, and provide the information shared above.  Aflac should provide you with any specific forms you need.  These may include:

  • Medical certification from a healthcare provider (for yourself or your family member); 

  • A form explaining your relationship to your family member; 

  • Or in cases of Safe Leave, complete a form stating your need for safe leave. 

This is not a complete list, but should give you an idea of what to prepare for when you start your application.

Important note: Workers can submit an application as early as 60 days prior to the start of the leave, if it is pre-scheduled, or 90 days after their leave. 

  • What happens once my application is submitted?

After the application is complete Aflac will send you a letter, it is important to carefully read it. The letter will explain the claim process and remind you what additional information is needed before they make a final decision on your claim. 

If you have additional questions, you can send a portal message to your assigned case manager or feel free to call (207) 621-5024 and press option 1. It is important to find out who your case manager is through Aflac — you can see who this is in the portal — to assist with any questions you have regarding your specific claim.

During the application process Aflac will reach out to your employer for information too.  In some cases, the employer may say taking leave during the scheduled time causes an undue hardship on their business operations. The employer has to bring this up within 10 business days of when the application for leave is submitted.  If this happens to you, Aflac will notify you of the next steps, which may include finding an alternative leave schedule.

  • If I am approved how much will I receive during my leave?

Maine’s PFML benefit is intended to replace part of your income. Alfac will determine the benefit amount based on your past wages already submitted to the state by your employer(s) so you don’t have to do anything to determine your benefits. You can estimate your benefits by using the PFML Benefit Chart.

Benefits will not be paid out until all the information for the application is complete and leave has started.  Benefits are paid weekly, and medical leave has a one week unpaid waiting period. 

Here is an example: Your application for 4 weeks of medical leave is complete and approved. Your first week of leave is unpaid but the remaining 3 weeks of leave will be paid by PFML. You might use an accrued sick or vacation time or another employer provided leave to make up the difference for the first week PFML does not pay for medical leave.  

  • Do I need to share additional information when I’m on leave?

If there are any changes that may occur during your leave let Aflac know as soon as possible. If you take leave for a pregnancy, make sure you prepare as much in advance as possible, and provide additional information once the baby is born as it is needed.

  • Can I get my job back when my leave is over?

It depends. If you have been at your employer for 120 consecutive days you are entitled to job protections. This means when the approved leave is over, your employer has to let you return  to the position or equivalent you had when you started your leave. They could have you return to work to a different position, but only if it has equivalent pay, benefits, and conditions.  

If you have NOT been at your employer 120 consecutive days you can still apply and take leave, but your employer does not have to protect your job.

I need to take leave again for another issue…

  • Can I only use PFML once during my career?

No! Maine PFML provides up to 12 weeks of leave in a Benefit Year. The Benefit Year is the 12- month period that starts the same week a worker’s leave starts. Example: if your leave begins February 3, 2027, your “Benefit Year” will begin Sunday January 31, 2027 and concludes 52-weeks later. So if you take only 6 weeks of leave in February 2027 and that leave ends, you have 6 more weeks of leave that you could take in your Benefit Year if you have another qualifying reason.

  • If I started a new job, how does that affect my ability to obtain leave?

Maine PFML is meant to be a portable benefit meaning workers have access to PFML regardless of whether a worker just started a new job or is in the public plan or a private plan.  Eligibility is based on how much you have earned as a Maine worker in the previous year, not how long you have been at your job.

Protections & other considerations

  • Are there protections in place for workers who take PFML?

The PFML law provides important protections such as:

  • Return to your job (or a comparable one) when the leave ends.

  • Take Leave without retaliation or discrimination from the employer.

  • Appeal a denied benefit claim.

  • Correct a paid leave premium deduction that was made in error.

Workers are encouraged to visit the Maine Department of Labor webpage on worker protections (maine.gov/paidleave/workerprotections) to learn more and find out how to contact the Maine Department of Labor if you have questions.

  • What can I do if I receive a denied claim for benefits?

Workers are provided with reconsideration and appeal rights under both the public and private plan if they are denied a claim for benefits. It is critical to review communications carefully that provide information on next steps and deadlines to have the decision to receive a second review.

Resources: 

These resources are in English, but are translated into other languages on the PFML site ( maine.gov/paidleave/workers )


Catie Reed