Neonatal Care Leave | Family and Medical Leave Insurance

Paid time to be there when your newborn needs you most.

Starting January 1, 2026, parents whose infants enter a neonatal unit or higher level of care may have up to 12 weeks of paid Neonatal Care Leave to be there at this critical time. Afterwards, they may be eligible for 12 more weeks of other paid FAMLI leave, such as parental bonding.

Broad Eligibility

If you’re a …

Parent
Foster parent
Step-parent
Adoptive parent
Individual acting in loco parentis

… then Neonatal Care Leave is for you

Time Off When You Choose

You choose the time to spend away from work and with your newborn
Tell FAMLI the hours you spent at work each week — it can be zero
Receive payment to make up any lost work hours each week

How to Apply

Visit the My FAMLI+ portal today
Select Neonatal Care Leave as your reason for leave
Upload admittance documents
Rest and recover with your family

Frequently asked questions about Neonatal Care Leave

What is Neonatal Care Leave?: It’s up to 12 weeks of paid time off while your newborn is receiving intensive care. You can use Bonding Leave later, after your baby comes home.
Who can use Neonatal Care Leave?: Any parent — biological, adoptive, foster, or anyone acting in loco parentis. See this FAMLI rule for more information.
How do I start a Neonatal Care Leave claim?: Begin your application in the My FAMLI+ portal. You can start early if complications are expected, but you can’t submit it until you upload proof of birth and neonatal admission.
What documentation will I need?: Either proof of neonatal care admission from the hospital, or a completed FAMLI Neonatal Admission Form, which you’ll find in the My FAMLI+ portal for Neonatal Care Leave.
How does pay work while I’m on leave?: Each week, you’ll certify the hours you worked — even if that number is zero. This keeps your payments accurate.
What if I already applied for or am receiving Bonding Leave?: No problem! You can cancel your Bonding Leave claim and switch to Neonatal Care Leave as soon as your admission documentation is approved.
Can I take both Neonatal Care Leave and Bonding Leave?: Yes! Eligible parents can take Neonatal Care Leave during the hospital stay, then up to 12 weeks of Bonding Leave afterward. They are separate claims, and Bonding Leave can’t begin until the Neonatal Care Leave claim ends.
How do I choose my start and end dates?: Use your newborn’s neonatal care admission date as your start date. The portal will set a temporary end date so that your claim can begin. Once your baby returns home, you can upload your discharge documents and update the end date within the My FAMLI+ portal.
What if my baby is still hospitalized after 12 weeks?: FAMLI is here for you: you may be eligible to use Bonding Leave or another FAMLI leave type.
What do I do when my baby is ready to come home?: Just upload your discharge documents in My FAMLI+ to close your claim and move into Bonding Leave if you choose.
Can I get additional leave if I had childbirth complications?: Yes. If you have a serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, you can start a separate FAMLI claim for your own medical recovery.