Processing Cases with Paid Family Medical Leave
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a state benefit that provides some individuals who work in Massachusetts with up to 26 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons. The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) administers the program. The program provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who are welcoming a new child into their family, are struck by a serious illness or injury, need to take care of an ill or ailing relative, and for certain military considerations. Not all workers are eligible for PFML.
PFML is countable unearned income for TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP.
Information about benefits and eligibility can be found at the website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-family-and-medical-leave or by calling 833-344-7365.
Some TAFDC and EAEDC clients must apply for PFML if they have not already done so. For information about which TAFDC clients must apply for PFML, see Application for Other Benefits-TAFDC.
For information about which EAEDC clients must apply for PFML, see Application for Other Benefits-EAEDC.
SNAP Households
If a client is receiving PFML at the time of application, the only income type the client can select to best fit this income type on the web application is Other. When a case manager first reviews the web application, the case manager will not know what type of income the client is receiving. When you speak with the client during the interview, you must confirm if the client is receiving PFML, enter in the information on the Other Income Status page, and a mandatory VC-1 must be issued upon confirmation.
For the online Interim Report and Recertification forms that can be completed via DTA Connect, clients are able to select PFML as an option.
For information regarding when to inquire if a client is receiving PFML, please see Job Ended.
Entering Paid Family and Medical Leave in BEACON
All PFML payments must be entered using the drop-down selection Type PFML as unearned income for TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP. For more information regarding entering unearned income in BEACON, please click here.