Managing or extending your approved Paid Family or Medical Leave

Here's how you can manage your approved PFML benefits using your PFML account and the Department of Family and Medical Leave's Contact Center

After your application for leave is approved, you can go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Department's Contact Center at [phone] to extend your leave, end your leave early, or update your paid leave information. Here are some common scenarios where you might need to update your information.

Updating your payment information

Call our Contact Center at [phone], and we will send you a form to update your payment preferences.

Updating your email address

If you’re logged in to the application site, you can go to the Settings page by following the link at the top of the site. The click the “Edit” button next to your email address. Learn more.

Updating your address

1. Download a W-9 form here.

2. Only fill out the following fields:

   1. Write your name in the top box.

   2. Check the box marking you as an Individual.

   3. Put your address in the Legal Address box.

   4. Include your phone number in the Phone box.

   5. In the SSN box, write your Social Security Number or the identification number that you submitted with your application.

   6. At the bottom, clearly print your name and sign and date the form.

3. Make a copy of the document you are using as proof of your new address. The proof of address document needs to include your new address and your name. Here is a complete list of the proof of address documents we will accept.

4. Mail the signed form and proof of address document to:
   Department of Family and Medical Leave
   Attn: Change of address
   P.O. Box 838
   Lawrence, MA 01842

Even if you are receiving payments from DFML through direct deposit, you should still let the Department know when your address changes.

If your leave situation changes

If the circumstances surrounding your paid leave situation change after your leave is approved, you must notify the Department within 7 calendar days of the change. You will receive a notice and the status of your application will be updated once DFML processes your request. We normally process requests within 5 business days.

Here are some changes you need to let the Department know about and how to report them: 

Withdrawing a pending application

After your application for leave is approved, you can go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Department's Contact Center at [phone] to withdraw your application.

Receipt of additional income 

You must report any accrued sick time, vacation time, short-term disability, or leave benefits paid by your employer that you did not report with your initial application through the Contact Center at [phone]. You should not report bonus income from your employer. Learn more.

Changing the dates of your leave 

If you need to change the dates of your scheduled leave, you should go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Contact Center at [phone]. You might need to submit a new application for paid leave with the new dates. 

Ending your leave early

To end your leave early, go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Contact Center at [phone]. Be prepared to tell us the new ending date of your leave and why it is changing. DFML will update your status and notify your employer. 

If you are ending your leave early and have received payments for the leave dates you are canceling, you will need to return the money to DFML. Read more about overpayments.

If you need to extend your leave

You must let your employer know at least 30 calendar days before your current leave expires or as soon as possible.  

If you need to extend your leave, you must go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Contact Center. You can request an extension up to 30 calendar days after the expiration of your original leave. If you don't request an extension 30 calendar days after your leave expires, you may have to submit another leave application and there may be a second 7-day waiting period.

Extending your leave with the same type of leave

If you need to extend your medical or family leave using the same type of leave, go online to paidleave.mass.gov or call the Contact Center at [phone] to create a second leave request within your existing application.

You may be asked to provide new documents to support and verify the new leave request. Once you have provided all requested documents and your new application is complete, the application will be sent to your employer for review. 

When review is complete, DFML will process the new application and reach a decision. When a decision is reached, you and your employer will be notified. If you did not apply online, we will mail you a notice outlining the decision.

Extending your leave with a different type of leave

If you need to extend your leave and change leave types, switching from medical leave to family leave or from family leave to medical leave, you can start by going online to paidleave.mass.gov or calling the Contact Center at [phone]. You will need to create a new application reflecting your change in leave type (with the exception of switching from medical leave to bonding leave). Switching to a different leave type may result in an additional seven (7) calendar day waiting period before payments can begin.  

When review is complete, DFML will process the new application and reach a decision. When a decision is reached, you and your employer will be notified. If you did not apply online, we will mail you a notice outlining the decision.

Extending your leave with a different schedule from continuous to reduced or vice-versa

If you need to change from a continuous leave to a reduced leave schedule (or vice-versa), call the Contact Center at [phone]. Do not create a new application as you will lose a week of pay. You may be asked to provide new documents to support and verify the new leave request. Once you have provided all requested documents, the application will be sent to your employer for review.  

When review is complete, DFML will process the change and reach a decision. When a decision is reached, you and your employer will be notified. If you did not apply online, we will mail you a notice outlining the decision.

Extending your leave with a different schedule, changing from or to intermittent leave

If you need to change from or to an intermittent leave schedule, call the Contact Center at [phone]. You will need to create a new application reflecting your change in schedule. You may be asked to provide new documents to support and verify the new leave request. Once you have provided all requested documents, the application will be sent to your employer for review.  

When review is complete, DFML will process the change and reach a decision. When a decision is reached, you and your employer will be notified. If you did not apply online, we will mail you a notice outlining the decision.

Last updated:	July 29, 2022