Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Applications Open, Beltrami Residents Affected

Minnesota began accepting a first wave of applications for its Paid Family and Medical Leave program on December 3, 2025, prioritizing parents who welcomed a child this year. State officials and Governor Tim Walz outlined parameters for the program in the weeks before the application opening, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said the program will open to all applicants on January 1, 2026.

Under the rules announced, eligible leave benefits may cover up to 12 weeks for medical leave and up to 12 weeks for family leave, with a combined maximum of 20 weeks of paid leave in a single year. The benefit amount will be based on income, and payments will be capped at the state average weekly wage. The program will be funded by a payroll tax set at 0.88 percent, with employers allowed to collect up to 0.44 percent from employees or absorb a larger share themselves. Employers who already offer private paid leave plans must have those plans validated as at least as generous as the state program in order to remain an alternative.

For Beltrami County residents, the change means new access to paid time away for childbirth, serious medical conditions, and caregiving responsibilities. Workers in health care, education, retail, and tourism sectors in Bemidji and surrounding towns may see more predictable family leave options, though the income based cap and seasonal earnings patterns will affect benefit amounts for some employees. Employers will need to update payroll systems, review existing leave policies, and consider whether to contribute more than the employee share of the payroll tax to reduce impacts on staff.

The program also intersects with the county's tribal communities, including the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, where tribal employers and employees will need clarity about eligibility and plan validation. Local governments, school districts, and small businesses should prepare now for administrative changes that begin with the statewide launch on January 1.

Residents and employers in Beltrami County can expect additional guidance from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as the full application window opens. The new law represents a significant shift in family and medical protections for workers, and it will shape local labor practices and economic decisions in the months ahead.