New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave

Group Benefits

NH PFML

On June 25, 2021, the Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan was signed into law. As of January 1, 2023, all employees in New Hampshire can obtain Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) coverage either through the state, their employer or if not offered by their employer, individually through the NH Purchasing Pool for Family and Medical Leave Insurance.
Group Benefits
As part of the Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave Plan, employers can purchase NH PFML coverage through the state’s chosen insurance partner, an insurance agent, broker or consultant. Private sector employers can also offer PFML insurance to their employees. Insurance can be obtained from the state’s chosen insurance partner or other carriers that are marketing the product in NH. Certain employees who do not have access to coverage through their employer may opt to purchase PFML coverage through the NH Purchasing Pool for Family and Medical Leave Insurance. The Hartford is still evaluating when to enter the NH PFML market. We’ll continue to update this page with any developments.

Key Dates

  • June 25, 2021: The Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan was signed into law.
  • December 1, 2022: Employer open enrollment began (ongoing).
  • January 1, 2023: Coverage began for Employees of the State of NH.
  • January 1, 2023 - March 2, 2023: Individuals can enroll for coverage through the NH Purchasing Pool.
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Frequently Asked Questions

No, we’re not offering fully insured coverage in NH at this time. We’re still evaluating our position and considering when to enter the NH market. Please visit this page for product offering updates and other Granite State Family and Medical Leave Plan developments.
No, this is not a mandatory program. The NH PFML program was established to offer voluntary family and medical leave coverage to employers in the state of New Hampshire. Private employers and other non-state public employers may voluntarily choose to offer these benefits to their employees. Individuals who work for employers that don’t offer NH Family and Medical Leave insurance (FMLI) can choose to purchase benefits from the NH Purchasing Pool for Family and Medical Leave Insurance.
Coverage is provided for leaves to:
 
  • Tend to an employee’s own serious health condition when disability coverage does not apply, including childbirth.
  • Care for a new child (through birth, adoption or foster placement) during the first year after birth, adoption or foster placement.
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition.
  • Attend to certain needs related to a qualifying military exigency for a foreign deployment of a “Family Member” as defined in the Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan.
  • Care for a service-member’s serious injury or illness as described in the Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan.
  • Benefits are available for Family Leave only.
  • Employees can receive up to 6 weeks of paid leave in a 12-month period for qualifying leave reasons.
  • Benefits are 60% of the employee's average weekly wage. Wages, for the purpose of calculating benefits, are capped at the Social Security taxable wage maximum.
  • Each year there is a one-week unpaid elimination period before benefits begin.
  • Benefits are available for Family and Medical Leave.
  • Employers must provide at least 6 weeks of combined leave for qualifying leave reasons.
  • Benefits must be at least 60% of the employee’s average weekly wages when capped at the Social Security taxable wage maximum.
  • Leave can be taken all at once (continuous) or in partial days (intermittent) down to a minimum of 4-hour increments.
  • Each year, there is a one-week unpaid elimination period before benefits begin, regardless of the type of leave.
  • Benefits are available for Family and Medical Leave.
  • Individual employees can receive up to 6 weeks of combined leave for qualifying leave reasons.
  • Benefits are 60% of the employee’s average weekly wages, capped at the Social Security taxable wage maximum.
  • Leave can be taken all at once (continuous) or in partial days (intermittent) down to a minimum of 4-hour increments.
  • There is a 7-month waiting period before an individual may submit a claim.
  • Each year, there is a one-week unpaid elimination period before benefits begin, regardless of the type of leave.
  • Employers who choose to offer PFML coverage to their employees can purchase coverage from the state’s chosen insurance partner or any other private carrier with an approved NH PFML insurance product.
  • There is a Business Enterprise Tax (BET) that employers are only eligible to receive if purchasing NH PFMLI through the state’s chosen insurance partner.  This credit is equal to 50% of their NH PFML insurance premium.
  • Individuals may purchase PFML coverage from the NH Purchasing Pool for Family and Medical Leave Insurance, which is insured by the state’s chosen insurance partner if their employers do not offer it directly.
  • Premium for the NH Purchasing Pool for Family and Medical Leave Insurance is capped at $5 per week.
Please reach out to your employee benefits representative at The Hartford for additional information.
 
 
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This informational material is subject to change as The Hartford continues to receive guidance from states and municipalities. It shall not be considered legal advice. The Hartford assumes no responsibility for legal compliance with respect to an employer’s business practices, and the views and recommendations contained herein shall not constitute The Hartford’s undertaking on a company’s behalf, or for the benefit of others, to determine or warrant that an employer’s business operations are in compliance with any law, rule, or regulation. Employers seeking resolution of specific legal or business issues, questions, or concerns regarding this topic should consult their own attorney or business advisors; and employees should continue to consult their employers’ Human Resources or other employment benefits department for guidance on the application of any law, rule, or regulation.
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