Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program is a new statewide benefit designed to provide workers with paid, job-protected time off for major life and health events. Since it was enacted in 2023, the program has been implemented in phases, with payroll contributions beginning on January 1, 2025, and benefits becoming available to employees on May 1, 2026.
What are the reasons I can take leave?
What are the reasons I can take leave?
Maine PFML covers leave for these reasons:
• Medical Leave: To care for your own serious health condition.
• Parental Leave: Time to bond with a child after birth, fostering or adoption.
• Family Care Leave: Time to care for a loved one with a serious health condition.
• Military Family Leave: Time to prepare for a family member's deployment.
How much leave can I take?
How much leave can I take?
Maine PFML provides up to 12 weeks of leave in rolling year. A “rolling” 12-month period measured backward from the date an employee uses any FMLA leave.
How do I create a ME PFML account?
How do I create a ME PFML account?
You can create a ME worker account using this link here.
Submitting your ME claim:
Submitting your ME claim:
Notify Your Employer: Inform your employer about your need for leave at least 30 days before your start date, or as soon as possible for emergencies.
Register/Log In: Access the official Maine Paid Leave Portal to begin your application.
Submit Documentation: Upload required documentation, such as medical certifications for health-related claims, through the portal.
Employer Coordination: While you manage your claim through the portal, your employer may need to provide information.
Wait for Review: AFLAC will review the claim and handle payments for approved leaves.
Can Maine PFML be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule?
Can Maine PFML be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule?
Yes, intermittent leave is allowed when medically necessary or for certain qualifying reasons, but may require employer coordination/approval.
How does Maine PFML interact with employer-provided leave (PTO, STD, parental leave)?
How does Maine PFML interact with employer-provided leave (PTO, STD, parental leave)?
ME PFML runs concurrently with your employer benefits.
Your employer policy may “top off” your regular wages so that you receive 100% pay from a combination of the state and your employer.
PTO cannot be used with ME PFML to avoid overpayment.
Does Maine PFML run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
Does Maine PFML run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
Yes, if an employee is eligible for FMLA, it will run concurrently with ME FMLA.
Relationships that count as a “family member”?
Relationships that count as a “family member”?
Children
Parents
Domestic partners
Grandparents
Siblings
Is there a waiting period before benefits are paid?
Is there a waiting period before benefits are paid?
There’s a waiting period of 7 days if your leave is for your own serious health condition. If your disability claim is approved, benefits won’t be payable for the first 7 calendar days beginning with the first day of leave. If you take leave for another reason (ie, bonding with your child), a waiting period does not apply,
What if I have a Private Disability Claim alongside a state claim?
What if I have a Private Disability Claim alongside a state claim?
Cocoon provides the necessary forms for your private disability claim, which you’ll complete and certify with your medical provider. Upload completed forms to your dashboard here, and our team we’ll submit your private disability claim form to the carrier. You may receive payment from each carrier. At times, your state or private carrier may ask that you provide a award letter from the other carrier. For example, Guardian may ask that you provide an award letter from DC PFL to confirm the amount of benefits they will provide.
What are my next steps once my Private Disability Claim is submitted?
What are my next steps once my Private Disability Claim is submitted?
Our team will usually submit your claim to your private carrier within 24-48 business hours of receipt and you'll receive an email to confirm. Here are some useful tips to help you take proactive steps and ensure speedy approval.
Follow up with your private insurance carrier shortly after receiving our confirmation (ideally 2 business days) that your claim was submitted to ensure they have everything they need to offer you a swift approval.
We don't collect bank information so your benefit payments will be in the form of checks, if you're interested in setting up direct deposit, this call to them would be an ideal opportunity to learn if that might be possible.
Find contact information for your private disability carrier here.
Due to the privacy restrictions and sensitivity surrounding claims, state and/or private insurance carriers require that they work directly with you after your claim has been submitted. Unfortunately, we don't have visibility into your claim once it's been submitted.
How do I contact ME PFML?
How do I contact ME PFML?
Call at (207) 621-5024, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Or send us a message through the Benefits Application Portal
Questions? Please reach out to Cocoon's Support team at: