The DFML has announced that the form to certify a serious health condition for paid family leave is now available. If you are a business owner and you are interested in offering a PFML to your employees, you should take note of the updated certification form. Depending on your own business needs, you might be able to find a private plan that offers faster underwriting, better service, and lower premiums.
Employers must offer the same or more generous benefits as the state plan
It’s been nearly two years since Colorado voters approved Proposition 118. This ballot measure, dubbed the ‘Family Medical Leave Act’, will allow eligible employees to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave. While the law will not be fully effective until January 1, 2023, employers should start preparing now for the inevitable.
A number of states have some sort of paid family leave program in place, including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont. These programs are intended to benefit working families by providing the opportunity to care for their loved ones when they need it most. Some states have a more comprehensive version, while others have only adopted the most basic of plans.
There’s no doubt that this new federal and state program will have a huge impact on employment leave landscape. For many employers, this means getting a handle on the program’s nuances and figuring out how to implement it within the confines of their current workday.
Eligible wages for employees are limited by the income cap used for computing U.S. federal Social Security payroll taxes
In the United States, employees are subject to both federal and state taxes on their salary. The following is guidance on how to reduce your tax liability by making appropriate deductions from your pay.
Payroll contributions are payments made by employers for the benefits provided by the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHB) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). This guide explains the process for requesting a payroll deduction for FEHB and CSRS dues.
In general, an employer’s contribution rate is applied to an employee’s basic pay. The rate is determined actuarially and periodically. An employee is eligible to participate in FEHB and CSRS if he or she meets the income limits. However, certain exceptions may apply.
FEHB deductions are made from eligible employee’s pay and reduce the amount of FICA tax that is withheld. They are also deposited into the U.S. Treasury for the Civil Service Retirement Fund.
This is a very important question especially if you happen to be a family member of a deployed officer. While the service is commendable, it can be stressful on anyone. The best way to cope is to come up with a family plan that includes everyone in the picture and to let them know exactly what you expect from them. Its not only about the service and its effects, but it is also about coping with the unforeseen changes that can occur during the course of the deployment.
One other important piece of the puzzle is to have an emergency plan in place in the event of an evacuation. This will involve everything from providing emergency supplies to arranging for the safe transport of all relevant documents to and from the aforementioned locales.
Private PFML plans may offer faster underwriting, better service, and lower premiums
One of the perks of being an employer in Massachusetts is that you can participate in the state’s venerable Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, if you so choose. Whether or not you want to, you’ll have to put some money down for the insurance. To get you started, the state offers a PFML brochure and a nifty website. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about PFML. It also has a handy calculator you can use to figure out how much to pay.
Unlike the old fashioned FFL, PFML is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Some employers choose to stick with the state plan while others opt for a private alternative. For some, the decision is a purely pragmatic one.
DFML has updated its certification of a serious health condition form for paid family leave
A new form for certification of a serious health condition has been issued for use in the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. The form is designed to provide information about pregnancy-related conditions.
The form is available online. It also offers a link to create an employer account.
In the first six months of fiscal year 2021, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) approved 43,440 applications. The majority of applications were for medical leave. Some of the most popular applications were for family bonding leave.
Workers who qualify for PFML are entitled to up to 26 weeks of paid leave. They may apply up to 60 days prior to the start of the paid leave. An advanced lump sum payment may be provided in the case of a serious health condition.
