Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) Division of Paid Leave announced that the paid leave launch in January was a success. Claims were accepted to support Delaware employees, and the first payments were released the first week of February. According to DOL, this is a sign that Delaware employees are receiving the support they need, while also confirming that all claim requests are valid and that the process to submit a claim is simply, easy and seamless.
According to DOL, almost 45 percent of the claims were for medical leave and 42 percent was for parental leave. In addition, just over 13 percent was to act as a family caregiver and less than one percent was for exigency leave. Medical leave allowed employees to address their own health issues while family caregiver leave allowed them to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Parental leave allowed employees to welcome a new child while exigency leave is for those preparing a family for deployment.
“Behind Delaware’s Paid Leave program is a timeless team who is dedicated to providing this benefit securely and on time,” Delaware Department of Labor Secretary LaKresha Moultrie said. “We are proud to mark a successful launch and will continue to make improvements to the system as we enter our first year of full implementation.”
According to Director of Delaware Paid Leave Chris Counihan stated that the program had “hit the ground running.”
“This Delaware Paid Leave program has hit the ground running in 2026, supporting Delaware employees as they navigate their own unique life moments,” Counihan said. “Sometimes these moments are planned for and expected, while other times they’re not. Whether the circumstances surrounding a claim are good or bad, we want everyone who has access to this program to know that claims are being processed quickly and efficiently, so that individuals can get the time they need to care for themselves or a loved one.”
To learn more about Delaware Paid Leave or to file a claim, visit DOL online.
