Portal opens for Minnesota's new parental bonding leave

Minnesota parents who welcomed children this year will be able to apply for 2026 bonding leave through the state beginning on Wednesday.

Economic development leaders outlined the process Tuesday and said the move could help streamline applications. They’re hoping to stave off a “baby bump” of thousands of applicants accessing the portal when Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program launches on Jan. 1.

“You're not going to see a massive influx on day one of folks that all broke their arm on Jan. 1 but you can see potentially an influx of folks that were eligible based on babies in 2025 so that's where the the reducing the bump helps out,” Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek said.

Minnesotans who had a baby or adopted a child in 2025 are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave to bond with their child in 2026. The bonding time can run up until the baby’s first birthday or one-year anniversary of welcoming a child.

The state previously opened up the portal for workers at a couple of large employers to apply for 2026 paid leave early. About 300 have applied early, according to the paid leave office. They expect around more 5,000 people could be eligible to apply when the new tier opens Wednesday.

Varilek appeared at Marty’s Deli in Minneapolis alongside local lawmakers, Gov. Tim Walz and advocates who helped pass the paid family and medical leave act.

They also said the department would be ready for a smooth rollout come January. 

“We are incrementally taking the steps to make this a highly successful launch,” Varilek said. “We've had the opportunity to get in our reps. We have been receiving those applications, making sure that our processes are working smoothly. We've identified a few refinements to make, and that makes us even more prepared for tomorrow, when we open up to all parents, and then on Jan. 1, we will be even that much more prepared when we open this up fully for all eligible Minnesotans.”

About three quarters of Minnesota workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave benefits as generous as what will be available come January. The program will allow Minnesotans to take up to 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave in a year, with a 20-week cap if a person taps into both.

Workers and employers will pay a payroll tax to fund the program. That will allow workers to take time for qualifying conditions, while receiving partial pay of up to roughly $1,400 per week.