The Prenatal Leave Benefits Application is Live!

Great news, everyone! D.C. workers can now apply for up to two weeks of prenatal benefits for leave taken from work for prenatal medical care through the Office of Paid Family Leave.* Prenatal medical care can include: prenatal check-ups, ultrasounds, treatment for pregnancy complications, bedrest that is required or prescribed by a healthcare provider, and prenatal physical therapy. Many of First Shift’s clients will benefit from this new program, as prenatal benefits and parental benefits can be combined for a maximum of 10 weeks in a 52-week period, providing pregnant applicants with more than the 8 week leave benefit maximum. 

First Shift Justice Project is excited that this program is finally accepting applications. We previously advocated for much-needed program improvements to make benefits more accessible to D.C. workers, by sharing our clients’ experiences and the unnecessary barriers blocking them from these crucial benefits. We look forward to the continued expansion of the D.C. Paid Family Leave Program (read Increase in D.C. Paid Family Leave Benefits) and continuing to support our clients in asserting their workplace rights while also addressing their caregiving needs.

You can find more information about the program and apply here. 

*Applicants will have until May 31, 2022, to retroactively apply for leave benefits for dates going back to October 1, 2021.