The program covers almost all Maine workers. This includes full-time, part-time and seasonal workers. There are some exceptions including: federal employees, individuals who are incarcerated, those who only work is through a work-study program. Self-employed workers and tribal governments can also opt into the program.

Workers will need to earn at least 6 times Maine's average weekly wage in the 12 months before their benefits begin. Maine’s current average weekly wage is about $1200.

The PFML premium is 1% of wages. This split between employees and employers, the employee covers 0.5% and the employer covers the other 0.5%. If you are a small employer with less than 15 employees, you do not have to pay the employer contribution to the fund - and your staff can still be covered by the program if they meet other program requirements. Self-employed workers will only pay the employee contribution.

People can take leave for specific reasons. This includes to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or foster placement, time to prepare for a family member’s military deployment, and leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

A person can take up to 12 weeks for a qualified reason in a benefit year. If a worker qualifies for other state or federal unpaid family and medical leave laws, paid leave must be taken at the same time. The weekly benefit is determined by a person's income. It is capped at the state's average weekly wage, which is about $1,200 a week.

After 120 days of employment at a job, a person who takes leave is entitled to their job or an equivalent when they return to work.