LeaveCalc / State paid leave / Minnesota weekly benefit calculator

NEW — paying benefits since Jan 1, 2026

Minnesota Paid Leave calculator

Minnesota's Paid Leave program is brand new — the state started paying benefits on January 1, 2026. Enter your gross wage and instantly estimate your weekly benefit under the tiered replacement formula, plus the 2026 maximum.

✓ Free ✓ Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded ✓ 2026 figures ↗ Official source: pl.mn.gov

1 Your wage & leave

Based on the Minnesota Paid Leave tiered formula for the 2026 benefit year, using the state average weekly wage (SAWW). Your actual benefit is set by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) using your highest-earning quarter, not a single wage figure.

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Not legal or benefits advice. Estimates only — the official program calculator is authoritative. See pl.mn.gov.

How we calculated this

Data verified July 2026 against Minnesota's official Paid Leave program pages.

  • Weekly benefit formula. 90% of your average weekly wage (AWW) up to $711.50 (half the SAWW); plus 66% of the portion between $711.50 and $1,423; plus 55% of anything above $1,423. Capped at $1,423/week. Source: pl.mn.gov/individuals/how-paid-leave-works.
  • 2026 state average weekly wage (SAWW): $1,423 — also the maximum weekly benefit, whatever your wage. Source: pl.mn.gov.
  • Leave duration. Up to 12 weeks of Medical Leave (your own serious health condition) and up to 12 weeks of Family Leave (bonding, caring for a family member, military exigency, safety leave) per benefit year; up to 20 weeks combined if you use both. Source: pl.mn.gov/individuals/leave-schedules.
  • No waiting week. Unlike some states, Minnesota Paid Leave does not forfeit a first unpaid week. Continuous-leave claimants qualify for their first payment once they've taken leave on 7 different days — but every one of those days is paid, just disbursed together. Source: pl.mn.gov/individuals/leave-schedules.
  • Notice to your employer. Notify your employer at least 30 days before you plan to take leave, or as soon as you're able if it's not foreseeable. Source: pl.mn.gov/individuals/how-paid-leave-works.
  • Applying. Minnesota does not publish one fixed "apply by X days" deadline for most claims — you apply online through your Paid Leave Account and provider certification is matched to your application. If your provider sends documents separately, apply within 30 days so they can be matched. Source: pl.mn.gov.
  • Combined medical + family split shown here is illustrative — the law doesn't set an order; this calculator shows medical weeks first, then family weeks, for the combined option.
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How the Minnesota Paid Leave weekly benefit is calculated

Minnesota Paid Leave is a brand-new state program — premiums started being collected in 2025, and the first benefits were paid starting January 1, 2026. It replaces part of your wages while you're on approved family or medical leave. For 2026, Minnesota's state average weekly wage (SAWW) is $1,423. If you searched pl.mn.gov for a calculator to see how much you'll get, this page runs the same tiered math instantly. The formula is tiered in three steps, so lower earners get a higher replacement rate:

The formula. 90% of your average weekly wage (AWW) up to 50% of the SAWW ($711.50); plus 66% of the portion of your AWW between $711.50 and $1,423 (100% of SAWW); plus 55% of any portion above $1,423. However you slice it, the weekly benefit is capped at $1,423/week for 2026 — the state average weekly wage itself.

How long does the benefit last?

Minnesota Paid Leave provides up to 12 weeks of medical leave (for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy and childbirth recovery) and up to 12 weeks of family leave (bonding, caring for a family member, military exigency, or safety leave). You can use both in the same benefit year, but combined leave is capped at 20 weeks total.

Source: Minnesota Paid Leave, 2026.

Minnesota Paid Leave FAQ (2026)

How much will I get from Minnesota Paid Leave?

Minnesota uses a three-tier formula: 90% of your average weekly wage up to $711.50, plus 66% of the amount between $711.50 and $1,423, plus 55% of anything above that. However it's calculated, your weekly benefit can't exceed $1,423 — the 2026 state average weekly wage itself.

Is Minnesota Paid Leave really new?

Yes. Unlike Washington, California, or New Jersey, Minnesota's program only began paying benefits on January 1, 2026. Employer and employee premium contributions started in 2025 to fund it.

Who is eligible for Minnesota Paid Leave?

You need to have earned at least $3,900 in wages — about 5.3% of the state's average annual wage — from a covered Minnesota employer during your base period, the four completed calendar quarters before your claim. This can come from one job or be combined across multiple employers. See pl.mn.gov for the exact thresholds.

Is the benefit taxable?

Paid Leave benefits are generally expected to be treated as taxable income for federal purposes, similar to other state paid-leave programs, but confirm current guidance with the IRS or a tax professional.