How Minnesota Paid Leave Will Work with Disability Insurance in 2026

Minnesota Paid Leave launches Jan. 1, 2026. It is a program run by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The paid leave program provides payments and job protections to eligible employees who take time off for their own health or to care for a family member for qualifying reasons.

It is not a benefit through SEGIP.

You may call or email the Minnesota Paid Leave program's Contact Center between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., weekdays, at 651-556-7777, 844-556-0444, or paidleave@state.mn.us.

One common question is:

How does this work with disability insurance? If you have disability coverage, you may also use it to replace part of your pay if you are injured or ill. Disability benefits will work the same way in 2026 as they do in 2025. If you have disability coverage, you may use the benefits you have today, even while using Minnesota Paid Leave.

Using your disability benefits while on Minnesota Paid Leave in 2026

Here is how short- and long-term disability coverage work today with other benefits. The coverage will work the same way in 2026.

Short-Term Disability (STD)

If you qualify for both STD and Minnesota Paid Leave benefits in 2026, you’ll receive the full payment from STD in addition to your payment from the MPL program. The amount of your "full payment" depends on how much coverage you bought. The maximum can't be over 66.67% of your gross monthly salary. Review your STD insurance certificate for details.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

LTD coverage payments are reduced by other income, including Minnesota Paid Leave. If you qualify both, your LTD payment will be lowered by the amount you receive from Minnesota Paid Leave, and other benefits. The amount you are eligible for through LTD depends on how much coverage you bought. The maximum can't be over 60% of your gross annual salary. Review your LTD insurance certificate for details.

Today and in the future, these benefits are subject to changes in MMB’s contract with MetLife, collective bargaining agreements, and the Managerial Plan.

Minnesota Paid Leave Program

Go to DEED's website for more information about the Minnesota Paid Leave program. The site includes answers to questions such as:

• What reasons for leave are covered under this program? Minnesota Paid Leave provides payments and job-protected leave to eligible employees for qualifying reasons. These reasons include managing a serious health condition, bonding with a new child, caring for a family member’s serious health condition, or responding to safety concerns.

• Who is eligible for the new leave? Employees who work in the state of Minnesota for at least 50% of the time and who have sufficient wage credits may be eligible for Minnesota Paid Leave. DEED will determine eligibility.

• How much would an employee get paid through Minnesota Paid Leave? Minnesota Paid Leave benefit payments provide a partial wage replacement. DEED has a calculator on its website. Employees can use it to estimate how much they may get paid by the program during a leave.

• Do employees have to give notice? Yes. Tell your employer before applying for Minnesota Paid Leave. If an employee knows about the leave ahead of time, the law requires them to give at least 30 days’ notice, or as soon as they can if they can’t provide 30 days’ notice.

• How is this leave different than Paid Parental Leave or other options? Watch for information from your employer. It will include information about how Minnesota Paid Leave will interact with other leaves available to employees who are eligible.