Starting January 2026, working Minnesotans without access to paid family and medical leave will have access through a new state-managed program. As it’s planned, tens of thousands of people each year will receive partial pay for extended time off to deal with a personal or family health issue, welcome a new baby, recover from trauma, or take qualified military leave. The paid family and medical leave office claims they are on track, despite the tight timeline.

This much-anticipated program is being managed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Behind the scenes, a team is working constantly to prepare policies and procedures, add program staff, conduct public information sessions, and get technology ready to manage applications. The team is also reaching out to prospective applicants and employers to get them up to speed about this new offering.

Businesses will have the opportunity to submit information about their internal paid leave plans. Programs that already offer coverage that meets or surpasses the state baseline will be exempt from this government-managed program. Program users will be able to access an online application portal before the program goes live. Despite the rush, workers and employers can have confidence that their applications will be processed when the time comes.

Navigating these new policies and procedures can be daunting for both employers and employees. For any Minnesotan wanting to know more about the paid family and medical leave program and how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave, they can visit eddcaller.com, which provides detailed instructions about contacting the leave office and other related procedures. This site is a valuable resource for individuals who need to understand the intricacies of accessing this new program.