New Hampshire

Be in the Know: New Rules on Leave

New Hampshire has enacted the Granite State Paid Family Leave Act, with a target program start-up date of January 1, 2023. The program provides paid family leave benefits for qualifying leaves to state government employees. Other public and private employers with more than 50 employees have the ability to opt in to the plan on a voluntary basis.

Coverage and cost

Learn more about your state rules and eligibility.

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Covered employers

  • New Hampshire State government employees — Coverage has been purchased and is provided by the State
  • All other employers and employees — This coverage is not mandatory and these groups may choose to opt into the state-sponsored plan if they desire

Coverage options

  • Private employers and non-state public employers may choose to provide this coverage; however, they are not mandated to provide coverage
  • Employees working for an employer that does not provide coverage may purchase coverage on their own
  • For more information on how to enroll for coverage please go to the NH Paid Family & Medical Leave web page: Home | NH Paid Family Medical Leave

Cost

  • No cost for state employees
  • No more than $5/week for individuals who opt into the private plan
  • Employer may elect to pay all or part of employee contribution
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Leave reasons (Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan):

Caring for a family member, bonding, qualifying exigency and caring for a service member.

Individual Voluntary Coverage Leave reasons include the leave noted above but also includes medical leave if their employer does not offer short term disability insurance.

Job protection

May provide job protection consistent with the job restoration provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Benefits

Maximum annual leave duration: 6 weeks

Pay during leave: 60% of employee’s average weekly wage (AWW) capped at the Social Security wage base

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Timeline and key dates

  • June 25, 2021: Law signed by the Governor
  • July 1, 2021: Law effective date
  • March 31, 2022: State issues RFI/RFP
  • January 1, 2023: Coverage began and benefits payable
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How Unum can help?

While Unum does not offer NH PFL insurance plan, we can administer an employer’s self-funded plan.

Paid Family Medical Leave information will be updated once additional details of the program are available

Have questions?

Reach out to our sales team to learn more about Unum’s state PFML and absence management solutions.