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Delaware Paid Family Leave (PFML)

Delaware Family and Medical Leave Resource Center

Delaware announced its paid leave program, set to go into full effect January 1, 2026. Employers will begin making contributions to the plan through payroll taxes beginning January 1, 2025.

As in many other states offering paid family and medical leave insurance programs, employers can opt for a private plan. Delaware businesses may also request to have their existing paid leave program grandfathered in.

Why Choose The DBL Center for Delaware Paid Family Leave

Employers who opt for a private plan with a top-rated carrier may discover cost savings and better service. That’s where The DBL Center can help by guiding Delaware insurance brokers through the process of privatization.  

We have been on the cutting edge of paid leave since New York rolled out its program in 2017. New York Paid Family Leave stands as a blueprint and benchmark for similar programs across the country.

The DBL Center has the industry connections with top-rated insurance carriers, the knowledge, and the technology to help brokers write this important benefit and pass the cost savings onto Delaware business owners.

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Key Features of Delaware’s Paid Leave Program

Delaware workers can file a claim for up to 80% of their wages up to $900 per week. To file a claim, a worker must be employed for at least one year, with at least 1,250 hours with the same employer.

  • Up to 12 weeks per year to care for a new child,
  • Up to 6 weeks every 24 months to care for a family member with a serious health condition,
  • Up to 6 weeks every 24 months to care for their own personal health condition or illness,
  • Up to 6 weeks every 24 months to assist while a family member in the U.S. military is deployed overseas.

Employers with fewer than 9 workers are exempt but can opt into the plan on a voluntary basis. Employers with 10 to 24 employees must provide parental leave only. Employers with 25 or more employees must provide full coverage. Federal government employees and seasonal operations that shut down for a month or more (such as landscaping or snow removal) are exempt from providing paid leave in Delaware. 

Premiums will be paid through payroll taxes and are set at 0.8% of an employee’s wages. Employers can have their employees pay up to 50% of the total contribution cost.

Delaware Privatization Options

Private plans must offer benefits that are the same or better than the state plan.

Between October 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024, employers can apply to have their existing plan grandfathered in. Employers who wish to privatize Delaware Paid Leave can apply to do so between September 1, 2024, and December 1, 2024.

Conclusion

Your Trusted Source for Delaware PFML: Stay Informed with DBL Center

As more details become available, The DBL Center will remain your go-to resource for paid family and medical leave in Delaware. Contact us today to find out how to privatize PFML for your clients in Delaware and roll the cost savings into other benefits, such as dental, vision, group life AD&D and voluntary worksite benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delaware PFML, or Delaware Paid Leave, is a new required benefit signed into law under the Healthy Delaware Families Act. The program requires most employers with 10 or more workers to provide Paid Leave equal to 80% of an employee’s wages, up to $900 weekly, under certain circumstances.

Delaware PFML benefits are available to employees who have been working in Delaware at least 60% of the time for at least one year, and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months for a single employer.

Employees can file a claim for Delaware PFML to care for and bond with a new child, address a serious health condition, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or take care of things at home while a family member is deployed overseas as a U.S. military member.

Businesses with between 10 and 24 employees must provide paid parental leave to parents of any gender. Businesses with 25 or more employees must offer full coverage.

Employers who prefer to write Delaware PFML through a private plan with a top-rated insurance carrier many enjoy cost savings over the state plan. Insurance brokers who provide private plans for Delaware Paid Leave can leverage The DBL Center’s knowledge, relationships and technology.

The DBL Center can help brokers find the lowest premium rates for cost savings, while delivering superior service and faster, more flexible claims payouts. 

Delaware PFML fills an important gap in employee benefits. While the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for new parents, employees who are sick or injured, or employees who need time off to care for family members with a serious health condition, it does not provide income replacement.

Delaware PFML offers job protection and income replacement of up to 80% of an employee’s wage, up to $900 per week.

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