Connecticut’s paid family and medical leave program has paid out more than $1.8 billion in benefits to over 218,000 workers since launching in January 2022
Claims rose nearly 11% in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the average worker receiving about $798 per week over an average 7.72-week leave
The program, championed by Connecticut Senate Democrats, has the lowest payroll tax among 14 states with comparable paid leave programs
Connecticut’s paid family and medical leave program has provided more than $1.8 billion in benefits to more than 218,000 workers since launching in January 2022, according to the program’s most recent annual report, as it approaches its fifth anniversary in January 2027.
The program has retained $637 million in its Trust Fund balance over that period, the report showed.
First passed in 2019 and championed by Connecticut Senate Democrats, Connecticut’s paid leave program is one of of 14 similar programs operating nationally.
Families welcoming new children or experiencing significant medical issues or illness can receive up to 12 weeks of income replacement through the program. It is funded by a 0.5% payroll tax on eligible workers, who pay into and can then receive benefits from the program. Connecticut’s payroll tax is the lowest among the 14 states with similar programs.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, CT Paid Leave saw an 11.44% increase in total claims compared to the previous year, with the average individual receiving $797.61 per week and the average approved leave duration standing at 7.72 weeks.
In that year, just under 82,000 workers received $516.6 million in approved benefit payments.
The most common reason individuals took leave in 2025-26 was their own illness or injury, with more than 63,000 applications received during that time for that purpose.
According to the Paid Leave website, as of July 31, 2026, 152,000 registered employers participate in the program, which has approved approximately 326,000 total applications.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Paid Leave Trust Fund’s reserve-to-net-fund-balance ratio stood at 0.1:1, well below a target of 3:1, while its contributions-to-net-fund-balance ratio was 0.8:1, also under the 3:1 target. The fund’s adverse-losses-to-net-fund-balance ratio stood at 0.581:1, above the 0.5:1 goal, a gap the report attributed to demand increasing as the program approaches full maturity.
By Joe O’Leary
