MN · Parental leave programs 2026
Parental leave in Minnesota: up to $1,423 a week
Minnesota Paid Leave launched January 2026. Pays up to $1,423 per week with separate family and medical caps totaling 20 weeks combined.
Weekly maximum
$1,423
Maximum weeks
12 family + 12 medical (20 combined cap)
Wage replacement
up to 90%
Quick answers
Eight questions most Minnesota parents ask
- Who qualifies for maternity leave in Minnesota?
- Workers who earned at least $3,500 in Minnesota during the base period with PFML contributions withheld, and who meet the work-history test. The program launched January 1, 2026.
- How much does maternity leave pay in Minnesota?
- $1,423 per week in 2026, roughly 100% of the state average weekly wage. The formula pays 90% of your average weekly wage up to half the state average, then 66% above that.
- How long is maternity leave in Minnesota?
- 12 weeks of bonding leave plus up to 12 weeks of medical leave for the birthing parent, with a combined annual cap of 20 weeks.
- Does FMLA cover maternity leave in Minnesota?
- Runs concurrently with federal FMLA when both apply. Minnesota PFML also carries its own job protection, and the Pregnancy and Parenting Leave Act provides 12 weeks of unpaid protected leave regardless of employer size.
- Does short-term disability cover maternity leave in Minnesota?
- Minnesota PFML medical leave functions as state-run short-term disability for postpartum recovery. If your employer also offers STD, ask whether it offsets, tops up, or stacks.
- Can both parents take parental leave in Minnesota?
- Yes. Both parents can claim Minnesota PFML bonding leave for the same child, each up to 12 weeks.
- What mistakes do parents make with maternity leave in Minnesota?
- Filing only for bonding and skipping medical leave, which leaves weeks unclaimed. Not knowing the combined cap is 20 weeks, not 24. Not checking whether your employer runs an approved private plan.
- How does Parental Leave Pro help?
- Free intake maps the medical and bonding weeks against the 20-week combined cap, calculates your weekly benefit under the two-tier formula, builds both filing deadlines into one timeline, and writes the HR email.
Programs that apply in Minnesota
Minnesota Paid 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 Minnesota-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
CO
Parental leave in Colorado
Colorado FAMLI pays up to $1,448.02 per week for 12 weeks, plus 4 extra weeks for pregnancy complications. Administered by the FAMLI Division.
OR
Parental leave in Oregon
Oregon Paid Leave pays up to $1,692.16 per week, second only to California. Its real distinction is the replacement rate: low-wage workers can receive up to 100% of their pay, which no other state matches.
CA
Parental leave in California
California uniquely sequences State Disability Insurance for medical recovery into Paid Family Leave for bonding. Both cap at the same $1,765 weekly maximum, and EDD handles the handoff automatically if you file SDI first.
Educational content. Not legal, tax, HR, or financial advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with the applicable state agency, your employer, or a qualified advisor.