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Paid Family Leave for Caregiving: The Essentials

New York's Paid Family Leave law generally allows eligible employees to take paid leave to care for sick family members. But are you aware certain health conditions won't qualify? Several factors impact whether or not an employee can use PFL for caregiving purposes. Let's take a closer look.

What Caregiving Situations Does Paid Family Leave Cover?

PFL regulations define “serious health condition” as a condition that involves inpatient care, continuing treatment or continuing supervision by a health care provider. Examples of continuing treatment or supervision include:

  • Becoming incapacitated for at least four consecutive days
  • Receiving a minimum of two doctor treatments, or one doctor treatment followed by a doctor-supervised regimen

PFL covers caregiving for the following types of close relatives:

  • Spouses
  • Domestic partners
  • Children
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Grandchildren

The term parent includes biological parents as well as foster parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians, step-parents and in-laws.

As defined by PFL regulations, caregiving includes physical care, emotional support, visitation, assistance with routine tasks and transportation.

Paid Family Leave for Caregiving: Employee Scenario

Luke's daughter Jamie has a serious skiing accident. He takes four weeks of continuous PFL to care for her during her recovery. Luke also takes 15 days of intermittent PFL to take Jamie to physical therapy and follow-up visits.

 

For more details about New York Paid Family Leave, visit: ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-paid-family-leave.

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