Connecticut Paid Family Leave
Overview
The Connecticut Paid Leave program covers all employers with one or more employees and is accessible to all employees who have met certain earned-wage thresholds. Employee contributions went into effect in January 2021 and benefits for eligible employees will begin in January 2022.
Square Payroll will calculate and withhold employee contributions and complete quarterly payments and filings on behalf of the employer. These deductions are submitted to the CT Paid Leave Authority quarterly or at an interval set by the CT Paid Leave Authority. You can learn more through the CT Paid Leave FAQ.
Employer Participation
Employers that have 1 or more employees are required to participate. If an employer offers a private Paid Family Leave and Medical plan, they can apply to be exempt from the program. However, you must receive the exemption from the CT Paid Leave Authority.
Note: Square Payroll does not have the ability to support exemptions for employees or employers at this time.
Those who are self-employed or are sole proprietors are also eligible to opt-in to the program. Learn more about how you can opt-in to CT Paid Leave.
Employee Participation
Employees in CT are eligible for benefits if they have earned wages of at least $2,325 in the highest quarter of the first four of the five most recently completed quarters and are currently employed, or have been employed within the last 12 weeks, or are self-employed, or a sole proprietor.
Wages may include salary or hourly pay, vacation pay, holiday pay, tips, commissions, and severance payments.
Qualified reasons for leave under the CT PFMLA include:
Birth or adoption of a child or a foster care placement for bonding purposes
Provide care for a family member with a serious health condition
To care for an employee’s own serious health condition
To serve as an organ or bone marrow donor
Military leave if a spouse, child or parent is called into active duty
Account Registration
Starting in November 2020, businesses covered under Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) need to register with the CT Paid Leave Authority to establish their account. This process allows third-party administrator registrations, such as Square Payroll, to pay and file contributions on your behalf.
Program Exemptions
Employees are not allowed to opt-out of the program. However, some employees may be exempt. Read more about qualifying CT PFMLA exemptions. .
Square Payroll does not have the ability to exempt employers or employees from the CT PFMLA at this time.