Self-Employed in Washington? Don't Miss Out on Paid Family & Medical Leave Benefits!
As a self-employed individual, you're your own boss, which means you are fully responsible for your time and how you choose to use it. Wanna go for a hike on a ridiculously sunny Wednesday afternoon in June? Heck yeah, go for it.
But what happens if you were to get carried away looking at the views, miss a step, and whoops now you’re in the hospital, need surgery, and expect a rough recovery ahead that will most definitely impact your ability to work. Oof. Since you bravely gave up a corporate safety net with cushy benefits, I don’t need to remind you that being out of commission for a bit could impact your bottom line.
But there is good news! Washington state is among a handful of states that provides a paid family & medical leave program (PFML) which self-employed residents can “opt-in” to and receive benefits.
Assuming you meet the definition of a “serious health condition” you could receive up to 90% of your average weekly wage subject to the maximum benefit amount of $1,542 for 2025.
Better yet, the Washington program is for both medical and family leave, including prenatal and postnatal care as well as leave to bond with your new child! For a self-employed person, being able to receive some sort of an income while you’re taking care of yourself & your family can make a huge difference.
What is Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave?
Washington PFML is a statewide insurance program providing paid time off for specific life events. There are two types of leave you can take and receive benefits for:
Medical Leave: For your own serious health condition or injury, including prenatal and postnatal care.
Family Leave:
To care for a family member with a serious health condition.
For bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, foster care placement).
For military family exigencies (deployments).
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Self-Employed Individuals?
Participation is optional for self-employed individuals, but if you opt in, you gain access to benefits. If and when you opt-in you are making an initial 3-year commitment and you cannot withdraw during this period. At the end of three years, your enrollment automatically renews annually, with a 30-day window to withdraw at the end of each period.
Once you opt-in you qualify to receive benefits by working 820 hours approximately (aprox. 16 hours a week) in Washington during your 12-month "qualifying period." The qualifying period usually starts about 15 months before the day you apply for leave or your leave start date, whichever is earlier.
Hours worked are calculated by dividing your self-employment income by the state minimum wage which in 2025 is $16.66.
To hit your qualifying 820 hours in one quarter you must earn $13,252 gross or $4,418/month. This is relevant if you are thinking of having a baby soon, as you need at least one full quarter of self-reported earnings for benefit eligibility :)
Important Note: All reportable hours in Washington count, even if you have multiple jobs or switch clients.
To receive benefits once opted in you must have worked the 820 hours in your qualifying period and experience a qualifying event (e.g., serious illness, birth, adoption).
How Much Leave Can You Take & How Benefits are Calculated?
First it’s important to know that you don't have to take all your leave at once. Intermittent leave is permitted which gives you a lot of flexibility on how to use your leave in a way that makes sense for your business. Within one claim year you can take:
Up to 12 weeks for medical or family leave.
Up to 16 weeks for a combination of medical and family leave.
Up to 18 weeks for pregnancy/birth complications followed by bonding leave.
The weekly amount is based on your reported wages and You can receive up to 90% of your average weekly wage subject to the weekly max which for 2025 is $1,542. You can calculate your estimated benefit here.
What Do You Pay to Participate in this Program?
You are responsible for paying premiums on your reportable income. Usually premiums are shared by employer/employee in traditional employment, but self-employed individuals pay the employee share.
Once you opt in, you’ll file quarterly wage reports (even if you have zero income). Without getting too much into the weeds, the current premium calculation for self-employed individuals is: Gross wages x 0.0092 x 0.7152 = Employee Share (round to two decimals). You only include wages up to the social security cap for each calendar year. In 2025, the social security cap is $176,100.
For example if you are self-employed and you make $100K/year assuming you made $25K/quarter you’re estimated quarterly premium would be ~$164.50.
What Else Should I Know?
Keep in mind that you are opting into the program, not your business. All self-employment income is counted even if from multiple businesses.
In most scenarios, you must submit your application within 30 days of your qualifying leave event.
For some types of leave events, a “waiting week” may apply and you won’t be paid for that week. There is no waiting week for parental bonding leave, medical leave taken during the “postnatal period”, family leave for the loss of a child or family leave for military exigency.
Should You Opt-In?
Maybe! If you are self-employed, planning to have a baby, and your income is fully dependent on you working (i.e taking time off will reduce your income) then opting-in could make a lot of sense for you! Or if you’re into (insert PNW outdoor activity here) and the risk of injury is high, maybe it would bring you and your family peace of mind knowing that your income wouldn’t drop to zero if you had a temporary serious injury.
If you have questions or want to learn more you can do so here or schedule a free intro call to chat with me!
Sources:
