How is the Minnesota Paid Leave benefit calculated?

Minnesota Paid Leave uses a three-tier formula. Wages up to 50% of the State Average Weekly Wage are replaced at 90%, wages from 50% to 100% of SAWW at 66%, and wages above 100% of SAWW at 55%. The weekly benefit is capped at the SAWW.

Does Minnesota have a separate state disability program?

Minnesota does not run a separate short-term disability insurance program. The Minnesota Paid Leave program covers medical leave for your own serious health condition as well as family and bonding leave.

What is the maximum weekly benefit?

The cap equals 100% of the State Average Weekly Wage. Using an SAWW of about $1,337, the maximum is roughly $1,337 per week. The figure is recalculated each year as the SAWW changes.

How long can I receive benefits?

Workers can receive up to 12 weeks of medical leave and up to 12 weeks of family leave in a benefit year, capped at 20 weeks combined.

Is this calculator official?

No. It is an independent estimate to help you plan. Your actual benefit is determined by the Minnesota Paid Leave program based on your verified wage records.

Minnesota Disability & Paid Family Leave Benefit Calculator

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Minnesota Paid Leave at a glance

Minnesota provides wage replacement through the Minnesota Paid Leave program rather than a standalone state disability fund. The program pays benefits whether you take medical leave for your own serious health condition or family leave to care for a loved one or bond with a new child. This calculator estimates your weekly benefit based on your earnings.

How it works

Minnesota Paid Leave uses a progressive three-tier replacement formula tied to the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). Lower-wage earners receive a higher replacement rate, and the marginal rate steps down as wages rise. The total weekly benefit is capped at the SAWW.

Using an SAWW of about $1,337:

Tier 1 threshold = 50% × $1,337 =   $668.50 per week  (90%)
Tier 2 threshold = 100% × $1,337 = $1,337.00 per week (66% between tiers)
Above Tier 2: 55%
Weekly cap = 100% of SAWW = $1,337 per week

benefit = 90% of AWW up to $668.50
        + 66% of AWW between $668.50 and $1,337
        + 55% of AWW above $1,337

Your average weekly wage (AWW) is your total base-period wages divided by the number of weeks you worked.

Example and notes

A worker earning $48,000 over 52 weeks has an AWW of about $923.08. The first $668.50 is replaced at 90% ($601.65) and the remaining $254.58 falls in the second tier at 66% ($168.02), for roughly $770 per week. A very high earner is limited by the cap equal to the SAWW. Workers can combine up to 12 weeks of medical leave and 12 weeks of family leave, capped at 20 weeks total. This is an estimate only — the Minnesota Paid Leave program makes the final determination, and the SAWW-linked figures update annually.