The FAMILY Act would create a federal program that pays monthly benefits to eligible people who take time away from regular work for family or medical caregiving. Qualifying reasons include the person's serious health condition, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, certain reasons covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act, and taking steps related to family or other qualifying violence. Eligibility would depend on recent work income and caregiving hours. Benefit amounts would be based on earnings and the share of the month spent caregiving, subject to minimum and maximum amounts. The bill would also protect eligible workers from retaliation and require employers to restore their job or an equivalent position and maintain health coverage during covered leave. It would be administered by a new office in the Social Security Administration. The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
If enacted, you could apply for benefits if you meet the income and other eligibility rules and take leave for a qualifying reason. You would need to report your caregiving hours each month. The bill also requires written notice to your employer, if you have one, and includes job and health coverage protections for covered leave. Applications could be filed starting 18 months after enactment.
The bill sets benefit formulas and allows grants to states that run qualifying paid-leave programs. It does not state how federal benefits or grants would be financed, or provide a total cost estimate.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.