Frequently Asked Questions

You can request leave through your online account at americanfidelity.com/login or our mobile app, AFmobile^®. 

Watch this video to learn how to file a paid leave request

If your employer uses the American Fidelity PFMLI plan, you should be able to request leave in your online account. Please contact your account manager or call us at 800-662-1113 for support if you do not see this option.

If you know you need to take paid leave, inform your employer at least 30 calendar days beforehand, or as soon as possible if 30 days’ advance notice is not possible. You can apply for PFMLI benefits up to 30 days before the date leave is expected to begin. You will need to update American Fidelity once you begin your leave because benefits will not be paid until after your leave starts.

Advance notice may not be possible under certain circumstances. If the leave is unexpected, you should still provide notice to your employer as soon as possible under the circumstances. You can submit a complete application for PFMLI benefits, together with all required supporting documents, up to 30 days after your leave has started.

Please log in to your account to learn more about the required documentation. You can view required PFMLI documentation here.

American Fidelity's PFMLI plan covers:  

• 12 weeks of paid leave per application year to bond with and care for a new child (whether through birth, foster placement, or adoption)
• 6 weeks in a 24-month period to:
  • Address your own serious health conditions
• 6 weeks in a 24-month period to:
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition or address a qualifying exigency related to a family member being on active duty

An employee is limited to 12 weeks of total, combined leave in a 12-month period.

To be eligible for American Fidelity’s PFMLI private plan, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• You must work for a covered Delaware employer.
• You must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months.
• You have at least 1,250 hours of service with the employer during the 12 months before the leave (“hours of service” are hours actually worked and does not include time off for vacation, illness, or any other leave).
• You have worked in Delaware for at least 60% of those 1,250 hours or worked out of state but you and your employer both agree that you should be classified as eligible for American Fidelity's PFMLI coverage.

Benefits will depend on your weekly earnings. Workers will receive 80% of their average weekly wage, up to $900 per week.

Here is an example based on annual earnings.

Contributions are paid on wages up to the Social Security wage base which is set at $176,100 for earnings in 2025. Benefit amounts are determined by the Delaware Department of Labor. These figures are subject to change annually.

Your employer can deduct up to 50% of the total premium amount from your paycheck for this coverage. The total deduction cannot exceed 0.4% of your wages. Any remaining premium will be paid by your employer. Contact your employer for more information about specific deductions from your paycheck.

Yes, intermittent or reduced schedule leave is available. You must request paid leave in increments of at least one full workday or you will not be eligible for paid leave for that day. The same notice requirements that apply to continuous claims also apply to intermittent claims, and you must provide 30 days’ notice or as soon as practicable under the circumstances for each absence for intermittent or reduced-schedule leave.

Parental leave can only be taken on a reduced or intermittent schedule if permitted by the employer.

It’s possible. We recommend speaking with your account manager to discuss your retirement plan’s rules and how paid leave may affect your retirement goals.

Employees experiencing their own serious health condition will only be eligible for up to 6 weeks of paid leave in a 24-month period. Disability Income Insurance gives you protection beyond, and sometimes in addition to, your paid leave eligibility. It’s important to talk to your account manager to learn how paid leave and disability work together.

Check out these articles about the importance of disability insurance:

Disability Insurance and Paid Leave Aren't the Same >

Paid Leave on the Rise: Why Disability Insurance Is Still Important >

Every person's financial outlook and risk aversion are unique to them. Therefore, we recommend you discuss with your American Fidelity account manager to determine your options to make the best decision for you.

An individual's own serious health condition 

For all reasons an individual applies for PFMLI leave, American Fidelity may request additional reasonable information or documentation necessary to process the claim, along with the following:

• Health Care Provider Certification. View form >

Family member's serious health condition 

For all reasons an individual applies for PFMLI leave, American Fidelity may request additional reasonable information or documentation necessary to process the claim, along with the following:

• Health Care Provider Certification. View form >

Parental Leave
New parents filing a Parental Leave claim do not need their claim verified by a health care provider. Instead, they will need to upload proof of birth or placement, which must include the child’s birth date or placement date. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

• A birth certificate or verification of birth worksheet
• Birth or recovery care documentation from a health care provider or medical facility (make sure your proof of birth documentation includes your child's date of birth)
• Adoption or foster care placement paperwork

New parents are eligible to take PFMLI leave to bond with a new child anytime within the first 12 months after a birth, adoption or foster care placement. Expecting parents can start their Parental (Bonding) Leave application up to 30 days in advance of their expected leave start date. However, the proof of birth documentation is required to fully submit the claim. Your claim will be saved as a draft until that documentation is submitted.

Intermittent leave is not available for parental leave unless your employer allows it under their policy. Talk to your employer if you have questions about their policy for intermittent parental leave.

For all reasons an individual applies for PFMLI leave, American Fidelity may request additional reasonable information or documentation necessary to process the claim, along with the following:

• Service member’s active duty military orders
  • Must include proof of the service member’s active duty service
• Statement detailing whether the leave will be, or is intended to be, continuous or intermittent leave
  • For intermittent leave, you must also provide expected frequency and duration of the leave