How does Washington calculate the PFML weekly benefit?

Washington uses a two-tier progressive formula. It replaces 90 percent of the part of your average weekly wage up to half the state average weekly wage, then 50 percent of the part above that. The total is capped at the annual maximum weekly benefit.

Does Washington run a separate disability program?

Washington does not have a stand-alone temporary disability insurance program. Instead, its single Paid Family and Medical Leave program covers both your own serious health condition, the medical leave portion, and family caregiving or bonding, the family leave portion.

How is the average weekly wage figured?

Washington averages your wages over the two highest quarters of your qualifying period to set your typical weekly wage. That average weekly wage is then run through the two-tier replacement formula.

How long can benefits last?

Washington PFML generally provides up to 12 weeks of medical or family leave, up to 16 weeks combined in a year, and up to 18 weeks if a pregnancy-related serious health condition results in incapacity.

Washington Disability & Paid Family Leave Benefit Calculator

Q: Is this my exact benefit?

No. This is an estimate. Actual benefits depend on the state's wage records, the seven-day waiting period for most leaves, and the current-year state average weekly wage that drives the formula and cap. Confirm with Washington's Employment Security Department.

Email me this result

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

Washington combines disability and family leave into a single program, Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). It uses a progressive two-tier formula so lower earners get a higher replacement percentage.

How it works

The benefit is built from two tiers anchored to the state average weekly wage (SAWW):

tier 1 = 90% of the part of AWW up to 50% of the SAWW
tier 2 = 50% of the part of AWW above 50% of the SAWW
weekly = min(tier 1 + tier 2, state maximum)

Medical leave covers your own serious health condition; family leave covers bonding and caregiving. Most leaves allow up to 12 weeks, 16 combined.

Example

With a state average weekly wage of about $1,714, half is $857. An AWW of $1,200 gives tier 1 of 857 × 0.90 = $771.30 plus tier 2 of (1200 − 857) × 0.50 = $171.50, for $942.80 per week before the cap.

Notes

This is an estimate. Actual benefits depend on the state’s wage records, the seven-day waiting period for most leaves, and the current-year state average weekly wage that drives the formula and cap. Confirm with Washington’s Employment Security Department.