Overview
- DEED reports 11,883 applications submitted and 6,393 reviewed since the program opened, with 4,005 approvals and 2,044 denials or cancellations, and projects about 130,000 approved claims in year one.
- The law provides up to 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave, capped at 20 weeks combined per year, with partial wage replacement typically between 55% and 90% up to about $1,423 weekly.
- The program was seeded with roughly $800 million and will be sustained by a 0.88% payroll premium shared by employers and employees, with reduced rates for small employers.
- Most workers are covered, but exclusions include federal and tribal employees, independent contractors, self‑employed individuals, postal and railroad workers, and certain seasonal hospitality jobs; eligibility generally requires $3,900 in prior‑year earnings and job protection begins after 90 days.
- Critics warn of potential fraud risk given recent statewide scandals, while DEED cites ID checks, medical or provider certification, and employer notification as layered safeguards.