DC · Parental leave programs 2026
Parental leave in District of Columbia: up to $1,190 a week
DC Paid Family Leave pays up to $1,190 per week for up to 12 weeks of parental, family, or medical leave. Administered by DOES.
Weekly maximum
$1,190
Maximum weeks
12 parental / 12 family / 12 medical
Wage replacement
90% (bend-point)
Quick answers
Eight questions most District of Columbia parents ask
- Who qualifies for maternity leave in the District of Columbia?
- Workers with DC-covered employment, roughly $1,300 or more in DC wages during the qualifying period, whose employer was required to participate. Most private DC employers are covered. Federal employees are not.
- How much does maternity leave pay in the District of Columbia?
- $1,190 per week in 2026, paid at 90% of your qualifying weekly wage. DC steps this cap in late September rather than on January 1.
- How long is maternity leave in the District of Columbia?
- 12 weeks of bonding leave per 12-month period. Birthing parents can also take up to 12 weeks of medical leave, so stacking both can reach 24 weeks total.
- Does FMLA cover maternity leave in the District of Columbia?
- Runs concurrently with federal FMLA when both apply. DC FMLA is broader than the federal law: it covers employers with 20 or more employees and provides 16 weeks of job-protected family leave in any 24-month period.
- Does short-term disability cover maternity leave in the District of Columbia?
- DC PFL includes its own medical leave for the worker's own serious health condition, which covers postpartum recovery. That is the piece most parents miss, and it is separate from bonding leave.
- Can both parents take parental leave in the District of Columbia?
- Yes. Both parents can claim DC PFL bonding leave for the same child, each up to 12 weeks.
- What mistakes do parents make with maternity leave in the District of Columbia?
- Federal employees assuming DC PFL covers them; it does not. Not requesting the medical-leave portion, which is how birthing parents reach 24 weeks. Filing late, since the window is 30 days after leave starts.
- How does Parental Leave Pro help?
- Free intake separates the medical-leave and bonding-leave pieces most DC parents never file together, calculates the combined total, builds both filing deadlines into one timeline, and writes the HR email.
Programs that apply in District of Columbia
DC Paid Family Leave
Complete state guide with 2026 rates, filing timeline, and coordination rules.
Read the full guide →Federal FMLA
Unpaid job protection. 12 weeks. Requires 12 months tenure and 1,250 hours.
How FMLA and PFML differ →Short-term disability
Employer-provided or state-run STD covers medical recovery. Filed separately from state PFML.
STD vs PFML →Employer policy coordination
Your employer's leave policy is stacked, supplemental, or offset with state PFML. The difference is often $10K-$20K.
How coordination works →Get your District of Columbia-specific plan
The free check takes about 60 seconds.
Runs eligibility across every program above, calculates your specific dollar amount, and writes the HR email that confirms your employer policy's coordination pattern.
Related state programs
MD
Parental leave in Maryland
Maryland FAMLI was delayed. Benefits now begin January 2028. Until then, Maryland parents rely on federal FMLA and employer policies for leave coordination.
NJ
Parental leave in New Jersey
New Jersey pays through two programs: Temporary Disability Insurance for medical recovery, and Family Leave Insurance for bonding. Both administered by NJ DOL.
DE
Parental leave in Delaware
Delaware Paid Leave began paying benefits in 2026. Up to $900 per week for parental leave, with separate shorter allowances for family or medical leave.
Educational content. Not legal, tax, HR, or financial advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with the applicable state agency, your employer, or a qualified advisor.