Delaware Paid Leave for employers: 0.8% through 2026, the 10 and 25 employee size rules, the $900 weekly cap, and the private-plan start dates
Published Sep 19, 2026
Page updated Oct 10, 2026
Short answer, as of October 8, 2026: Delaware Paid Leave contributions started on January 1, 2025, and benefits started on January 1, 2026. The rate is 0.8% of wages. That rate is set by statute for 2025 and 2026 (19 Del. C. § 3705). The Department of Labor's Delaware Paid Leave page, its FAQ and its employer guide give no 2027 rate (read October 8, 2026). Coverage depends on size: 10 to 24 employees, parental leave only; 25 or more, full coverage.
The rate through 2026
| Line | Rate for 2025 and 2026 (§ 3705(b)) | Who is covered |
|---|---|---|
| Medical leave | 0.4% | Employers of 25 or more |
| Family caregiving leave | 0.08% | Employers of 25 or more |
| Parental leave | 0.32% | Employers of 10 or more |
| Sum | 0.8% | — |
The employer can deduct no more than 50% from the employee. An employer of 10 to 24 employees pays the parental line only, which is 0.32%.
For 2027 the statute says: "the Department shall set the contribution rate". The combined rate cannot be more than 1.00%. The Department of Labor's Delaware Paid Leave page, its FAQ and its employer guide do not have "2027" (read Oct 8, 2026).
Size rules
| Employees (previous 12 months) | Coverage |
|---|---|
| 9 or fewer | Exempt. The employer can opt in. |
| 10 to 24 | "Parental Leave Only" |
| 25 or more | "Full Coverage" |
Benefits and the weekly cap
The Department's page says an employee gets "up to 80% of their wages (up to $900 per week)". The minimum is $100 a week. The statute fixes the cap: "The maximum weekly benefit in 2026 and 2027 must be $900" (§ 3704(a)(3)). The first possible change to the cap is on January 1, 2028. The combined maximum is 12 weeks a year.
Private plans
The Employer and TPAs Guide (Dec 1, 2025) gives the current rule:
- Apply at any time. The guide says: "employers can apply to switch to a private plan at any time".
- Apply at least 30 days before the start date that you want.
- Coverage starts on the first day of the next calendar quarter: Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1 or Oct 1.
An older official FAQ of May 2025 still describes an Oct 1 to Dec 1 window. The newer guide governs.
Grandfathered employers are exempt "until December 31, 2029". The guide says: "On January 1, 2030, grandfathered plans expire automatically".
The official carrier list
The Delaware Department of Insurance publishes the list. The official list, dated "UPDATED: August 2026", names: American Fidelity Assurance Company; Arch Insurance Company; Continental American Insurance Company (AFLAC); Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co; Life Insurance Co of North America; Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York; Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc.; Metropolitan Life Insurance Co; Principal Life Insurance Co; ReliaStar Life Insurance Company; ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York; Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company; ShelterPoint Life Insurance Co; Standard Insurance Company; Sun Life Assurance Co of Canada; The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America; The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company; The Prudential Insurance Company of America; UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company; United of Omaha Life Insurance Co; Unum Insurance Company.
This site does not rank the 21 companies and does not print prices. The insurer table shows each company against the official lists of Minnesota, Maine and Delaware.
See the Delaware board for each rule with its source and check date. Compare the five programs in rules by state and in States with paid family leave.
This is a private website, not a government site. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Official site: labor.delaware.gov/delaware-paid-leave.
Sources
- Delaware Department of Labor — Delaware Paid Leave — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Delaware Code, Title 19, Chapter 37 — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Employer and TPAs Guide to Delaware Paid Leave (PDF, Dec 1, 2025) — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Delaware Department of Insurance — Paid Family Medical Leave carrier list (PDF, 'UPDATED: August 2026') — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Delaware Paid Leave — How paid leave works FAQ (PDF) — checked Oct 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
›What is the Delaware Paid Leave contribution rate in 2027?
The Department of Labor's Delaware Paid Leave page, its FAQ and its employer guide give no 2027 rate (read October 8, 2026). The 0.8% rate is set by statute for 2025 and 2026 only. For 2027 and later years the Department of Labor sets the rate, and the law's ceiling is 1.00%.
›Which Delaware employers are covered?
Employers with 9 or fewer employees are exempt and can opt in. Employers with 10 to 24 employees cover parental leave only. Employers with 25 or more employees have full coverage. The count uses the previous 12 months.
›What is the maximum weekly Delaware Paid Leave benefit?
$900 a week. The statute says: 'The maximum weekly benefit in 2026 and 2027 must be $900.' The benefit is up to 80% of wages, with a minimum of $100 a week.
›When can a Delaware employer change to a private plan?
The Employer and TPAs Guide says that an employer can apply at any time, at least 30 days before the start date. Coverage starts on Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1 or Oct 1. Grandfathered plans end on Jan 1, 2030.
Private website. Not affiliated with the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Labor or the FAMLI Division. Official site: paidleave.maryland.gov. General information with sources and check dates — not legal, tax or insurance advice. We are not a licensed insurance producer; we do not recommend any agent, insurer or plan, and we receive no commission or fee based on any insurance sale.