It’s a win-win for employees who need support during a health or family event, and for employers who want to attract and retain top-quality personnel. Most businesses with 10 or more employees are required to participate. Get to know the guidelines now so you’re ready to fulfill the requirements later.
If you are an employer and you have questions, please contact us at 302-761-8375 (calls received after 4:30pm will be answered the next business day) or PFML@delaware.gov.
Delaware Paid Leave offers paid leave to employees who have been employed for at least one year and at least 1,250 hours with a single employer. If their leave is approved, employees will get up to 80% of their wages (up to $900 per week) to cover the following:
Employees are limited to a maximum of 12 weeks of total, combined leave per year.
The program will be funded by less than 1% of an employee’s weekly salary. Employers can require employees to contribute up to half the cost.
Participating in Delaware Paid Leave is mandatory for most businesses with 10 or more employees working in Delaware.
| Employer Type | Leave Requirements |
|---|---|
| 9 or fewer employees | Exempt |
| 10 to 24 employees | Parental Leave Only |
| 25 or more employees | Full Coverage |
| Federal government employees | Exempt |
| Seasonal operations that shut down for a month or more | Exempt |
May 11, 2022 – Delaware Paid Leave (Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program) was signed into law.
July 11, 2023 – The regulations for Delaware Paid Leave went into effect.
March 11, 2024 – 2nd Round of PFML Regulations becomes effective.
September 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024 – Employers can set up an account using Delaware LaborFirst, the user-friendly system to manage Delaware Paid Leave. Once registered, required employers are automatically enrolled, while smaller employers can voluntarily join and larger employers may request to use a private plan.
January 1, 2025 – For those employers in the State’s plan, payroll deductions begin if your employees are contributing to the cost of Delaware Paid Leave.
April 30, 2025 – First Due Date for PFML contributions.
January 1, 2026 – Employees can begin to submit claim applications for payment.
Healthy Delaware Families Act
Signed into law on May 10, 2022, this Act created the Delaware Paid Leave insurance program that requires employers in the state to provide their employees with Paid Family Medical Leave.
Regulations for Delaware Paid Leave
These regulations explain and clarify the provisions of the Healthy Delaware Families Act. Additional regulations are forthcoming on issues that remain to be further detailed.
*Subject to the Register of Regulation’s final review
* = Required
If you have a question about Delaware Paid Leave, or would like to schedule a presentation for your business, email PFML@delaware.gov.Delaware's Governor
State Agencies
Elected Officials
General Assembly
Delaware Courts
State Employees
Cities & Towns
Delaware State Code
State Regulations
Business First Steps
Phone Directory
Locations Directory
Public Meetings
Voting & Elections
Transparency
Delaware Marketplace
Tax Center
Personal Income Tax
Privacy Policy
Weather & Travel
Contact Us
Corporations
Franchise Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Withholding Tax
Delaware Topics
Help Center
Mobile Apps
E-mail / Text Alerts
Social Media
Built by the Government Information Center
©MMXXIV Delaware.gov
