Apply for Paid Family and Medical Leave in WA

To apply for Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave, you must submit your application within 30 days after your qualifying event. This includes situations like your own serious health condition, caring for a family member with a health issue, pregnancy, childbirth, or bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster care). You can also take leave to spend time with a military family member before or after deployment.

Start by creating or logging into your SAW account. Fill out the online application, providing basic info and verifying your work history. If you don’t have an SSN or ITIN, contact the department for a paper form. For pregnancy-related leave, you may need separate applications for medical and bonding leave. After submitting, upload documents like ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and proof of your leave reason (doctor’s note, adoption papers, or military deployment dates).

Your employer will get a notice about your application and has 18 days to contest it if they disagree. You can choose to take Paid Leave at any time during your approved leave period — you don’t have to use it before or after other paid or unpaid time off. If your application is approved, you can file weekly claims for payments and even get back pay for weeks you already took.

If you miss the 30-day deadline, you might still apply by explaining a “good cause,” like a serious health condition or natural disaster. Employers and other programs (like Unemployment Insurance) may share your information to process your claim. Healthcare providers must complete documentation within 7 days and cannot charge you for filling out forms.

This is a summary only — not legal advice. Consult a disability rights attorney for guidance on your specific situation.