Balances in Cocoon reflect the best information available in the system today.
Final determinations may differ for state-administered programs or if some leave was managed outside of Cocoon.
So use these balances as a planning guide, not a final confirmation.
Why balances can change
Some leave programs are administered by the state
For certain benefits, the state, not Cocoon or your employer, makes the final decision about:
whether a leave is approved,
how much time counts against your benefit,
and when a new benefit year starts.
Examples of state-administered programs include:
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML)
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WA PFML)
Oregon Paid Leave Oregon (PLO)
Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (CO FAMLI)
Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance (RI TCI)
Cocoon helps coordinate these leaves, but we don’t have access to all state records or decisions. Because of that, the balances shown in Cocoon may not exactly match the state’s final calculation.
Benefit year definitions vary by program
Each state program defines its benefit year differently. For example, a benefit year may be based on:
the date a claim is submitted,
the date leave begins,
or another program-specific rule.
Cocoon calculates balances using the best information available (e.g., leave submission or leave start date), but the state is the source of truth for when a benefit year starts and ends. This can affect how much time the state ultimately counts as used or remaining.
Some leave may be managed outside of Cocoon
Certain entitlements can cover multiple leave reasons, not all of which are administered or tracked in Cocoon.
For example:
bereavement leave,
safe leave,
sick child leave,
or other employer-managed leave.
If an employee takes leave for one of these reasons and it counts against a shared entitlement, that usage may reduce the available balance even if it doesn’t appear in Cocoon.
What the balances in Cocoon are best used for
Cocoon balances are designed to help you:
understand how much leave has been recorded so far,
plan upcoming time off,
and spot potential issues early.
They are not intended to replace:
a state’s official eligibility or approval notice, or
an employer’s final confirmation of company-managed leaves.
What to do if you need a final answer
If you’re an employee:
For state-administered benefits, rely on the state’s official notice or portal for final approval and balance information.
For employer-managed leave, confirm details with your employer.
If you’re an employer:
Use Cocoon to track and plan leave consistently.
Defer to the state’s determination for state-administered programs.
Confirm off-platform leave usage when reconciling balances.
Key takeaway
Cocoon shows the best estimate based on what we know today.
Final decisions about eligibility, benefit years, and usage may be made by the state or managed directly by the employer.
Using Cocoon alongside official state notices and employer policies gives you the clearest picture.