 Paid Leave updates for individuals and families
July 2025
Minnesota will be the 13th state to launch a statewide Paid Leave program. We’re committed to collaborating with stakeholders to build an intuitive and accessible Paid Leave program that works for all Minnesotans.
Estimate your Paid Leave payments
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A new calculator tool will help Minnesotans estimate the payments they could receive from Paid Leave after the program launches in January 2026.
Enter your wages to understand how much you could receive each week if you qualify for Paid Leave.
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Contact Center now taking calls
Our Contact Center team has been taking questions through our website over the last year, and this month added phone support to better serve Minnesotans.
To reach the Contact Center by phone, call 651-556-7777 or 844-556-0444 (toll-free).
Paid Leave staff are available 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays. Not an English speaker? Call for help in your language.
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You can also continue to submit your question on our website and our team will get back to you via email.
Equivalent Plans for Paid Leave
Employers can choose to meet their responsibilities under Minnesota Paid Leave by providing employees with an equivalent plan that meets or exceeds the coverage offered by the state. As a worker, that means you will still be able to take paid leave, but payments will come from your employer or a private insurance carrier instead of the state.
Watch the new video on our website to learn more about how equivalent plans work for Paid Leave.
Upcoming webinars: learn more about Paid Leave!
Paid Leave hosts a regular monthly webinar series to help Minnesotans understand how Paid Leave will work and how it may benefit you or your organization. Paid Leave hosts a regular monthly webinar to help Minnesotans learn general information about the program. The division also hosts more focused webinars on topics including wage detail reporting, employer accounts, and responsibilities under the law.
Can’t make it to a webinar? Recordings from past events are available on our website: Public engagement events / Minnesota Paid Leave
📆 Thursday August 14, 2025
Hiring spotlight
The Minnesota Paid Leave team is growing fast. We are a start-up in state government and are actively hiring for leaders to deliver on the promises of the legislation. Consider joining our team!
Top questions we're hearing
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What happens if my employer offers a private, equivalent plan for Paid Leave?
Employers can use an equivalent plan if it offers employees the same or better coverage as Minnesota Paid Leave. In this case, you'll still be able to use paid leave, but payments will come from your employer or a private insurance carrier instead of the state.
If your employer chooses to offer an equivalent plan, they are legally required to notify you about the plan and its details. Your employer cannot charge you more for an equivalent plan than what your premiums would be under the state plan. You have the same rights and protections under Paid Leave, even if your employer offers an equivalent plan.
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If I welcome a child in 2025, am I eligible for Paid Leave in 2026?
Yes, you can take bonding leave in 2026, as long as the leave is completed within 12 months of the child's birth, adoption, or foster placement. This means that parents who welcome a child in 2025 may each take up to 12 weeks of bonding leave in 2026.
For example, parents who welcome a child on June 1, 2025, would have between January 1, 2026 and June 1, 2026 to take up to 12 weeks each of bonding leave. Parents who welcome a child on March 1, 2025 would need to take their leave between January 1, 2026 and March 1, 2026. This means they would have time to take up to 8 weeks of bonding leave each.
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Are self-employed individuals able to participate in Paid Leave?
Self-employed individuals are not required to participate in the program; however, they will be able to opt in to coverage beginning in 2025. If you are a self-employed individual and opt in, you will pay premiums annually and will be covered under Minnesota Paid Leave for at least two years, or until you opt out. To opt in, you will need to provide documentation of your net earnings.
For more information
You can find more information for individuals and families on our webpage here.
Still have questions?
If you have a Paid Leave question that isn’t yet answered on our website, reach out to our Contact Center.
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