Delaware Paid Leave is officially open as of January 2026

On January 1, 2026, the Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Paid Leave began accepting the first claims under the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program.[1] For caregivers in Delaware, this is the first time the state has offered wage replacement for time spent caring for a seriously ill family member.

What the program covers

Delaware Paid Leave provides wage replacement for workers who need to take time away from work for:[1]

• Medical leave, for a serious health condition impacting the employee
• Family Caregiver Leave, to care for a family member with a serious health condition
• Parental leave, to bond with a new child by birth, adoption, or foster placement
• Qualifying military exigencies, related to a family member’s military service

Who qualifies, and where to look

Eligibility depends on your employer’s size and the type of leave you’re taking. The Delaware Department of Labor publishes the full eligibility rules, current weekly benefit amounts, and a calculator on the official program site. Workers who think they may qualify should start there.

How to apply

Claims are submitted online through the state’s LaborFirst system at labor.delaware.gov/laborfirst.[1]

Background

The Healthy Delaware Families Act, signed in May 2022, authorized the program.[1] Employer and employee contributions began January 1, 2025, and benefits officially became available a year later, on January 1, 2026.[1]