Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave

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Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave is a state-run insurance program that provides partial wage replacement to eligible workers who need time off for serious health conditions, family care, or bonding with a new child. The program is administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department and funded through payroll premiums from employees and employers.

Olympia, Washington, United States
paidleave.wa.gov
Owned by Washington State Employment Security Department

About Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave

Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a statewide social insurance program that allows eligible workers in Washington to receive partial wage replacement when they take time off for qualifying family or medical reasons. Benefits can be used for a worker’s own serious health condition, to care for a seriously ill family member, to bond with a new child through birth, adoption or foster placement, and for certain military-related events. The program is administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) and funded via payroll premiums shared between employees and, in many cases, employers.([paidleave.wa.gov](https://paidleave.wa.gov/employer-roles-responsibilities/?utm_source=openai))

A charge or ACH entry labeled “ORIG CO NAME:PAID FAMILY MED” on a bank statement is typically related to these PFML premiums or benefits. For employers, it may represent quarterly PFML premium payments remitted to the state; for individuals, it could be a distribution of PFML benefits or an adjustment associated with the program. Public documents from Washington state entities show accounting references such as “WASH STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURIT Paid Family Med Leave,” indicating that PFML transactions can appear in bank data with a shortened "Paid Family Med" or similar descriptor.([bentonpud.org](https://www.bentonpud.org/getmedia/b8528923-cbb4-44cc-a1da-e4358f1f0bb2/Commission-Packet-2025-04-22_1.PDF?ext=.pdf&utm_source=openai))

If you have questions about a “PAID FAMILY MED” charge, first verify whether you live or work in Washington and whether your employer participates in the state PFML program. Check recent pay stubs and employer communications for PFML premium withholdings, and compare dates and amounts against the bank transaction. To resolve concerns, you can contact the Paid Family and Medical Leave program through the official website (paidleave.wa.gov) or via the Employment Security Department’s published contact channels; have your employer name, last four digits of your SSN, and relevant dates handy when you call or email. If the charge still appears unfamiliar after checking with ESD, contact your bank to dispute or investigate the transaction further.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave.

  1. ORIG CO NAME:PAID FAMILY MED ORIG ID:XXXXXX1099

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see an ACH entry labeled “PAID FAMILY MED” on my bank statement?

This descriptor usually refers to Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. It can represent either PFML premiums being debited from an employer’s bank account or PFML benefits being deposited to an individual, depending on the direction and context of the transaction. Review whether you or your business are subject to Washington’s PFML payroll requirements or have applied for PFML benefits.

Is the “PAID FAMILY MED” charge a payroll premium or a benefit payment?

If the transaction is a debit from a business account and lines up with quarterly reporting deadlines, it is likely a PFML premium payment to the state. If it is a credit to an individual’s account and coincides with an approved leave period, it is more likely a PFML benefit payment. Employers can compare the amount against quarterly premium reports, while individuals can compare it with their benefit award notices from the Employment Security Department.

How are Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums calculated?

PFML premiums are based on a percentage of each employee’s gross wages up to the Social Security wage cap, with a rate set by the state that may change periodically. Employees pay a portion of the total premium, and larger employers are also responsible for an employer portion. Your pay stub will typically show a PFML or WA Paid Family/Medical Leave line indicating the amount withheld each pay period.([paidleave.wa.gov](https://paidleave.wa.gov/employer-roles-responsibilities/?utm_source=openai))

How can I confirm that a “PAID FAMILY MED” debit is legitimate?

Start by checking whether your organization files reports with the Washington Employment Security Department and owes PFML premiums for that period. Match the transaction date and amount with your PFML reporting records or employer payroll reports. If you are an individual, log into your Paid Leave account via SecureAccess Washington or review benefit correspondence to see if the amount matches a benefit payment or adjustment. If anything looks off, contact the PFML program or your bank for clarification.

How do I contact Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program about a billing or payment issue?

You can reach the program through the official website at paidleave.wa.gov, which provides contact information including phone numbers and email addresses such as paidleave@esd.wa.gov for general inquiries and support. Have your case or claim number (for individuals) or your ESD account number (for employers) available, along with details of the questioned transaction, so staff can quickly locate your record.([paidleave.wa.gov](https://paidleave.wa.gov/employer-roles-responsibilities/?utm_source=openai))

Can I stop or change PFML premium debits from my business bank account?

Employers are required by Washington law to remit PFML premiums they have reported; you generally cannot simply stop payments without adjusting your payroll reporting. If you believe your premiums were miscalculated or reported incorrectly, correct your quarterly report through the Employment Security Department’s online system or contact PFML employer support before the next due date. They can advise you on amending returns, credits, or refunds where appropriate.([paidleave.wa.gov](https://paidleave.wa.gov/employer-roles-responsibilities/?utm_source=openai))

Why does the descriptor say “PAID FAMILY MED” instead of listing Washington State or Employment Security?

Bank and ACH descriptions often truncate or abbreviate originator names, so “PAID FAMILY MED” is a shortened version of “Paid Family and Medical Leave.” In many back-office records, this descriptor appears alongside “Washington State Employment Security Department” or similar wording, but only the abbreviated portion may show up on consumer-facing statements, which can make the charge look unfamiliar at first glance.([bentonpud.org](https://www.bentonpud.org/getmedia/b8528923-cbb4-44cc-a1da-e4358f1f0bb2/Commission-Packet-2025-04-22_1.PDF?ext=.pdf&utm_source=openai))

How do I dispute a Washington PFML transaction I believe is incorrect?

First, gather documentation such as payroll reports, benefit letters, and screenshots from your Paid Leave or ESD account. Contact the PFML program using the information at paidleave.wa.gov and explain why you believe the amount is wrong—whether due to incorrect wages, misreported hours, or overlapping leave. If your bank account has been debited in error or without authorization, also notify your bank promptly to initiate an ACH dispute, while PFML staff review and correct any underlying reporting or benefit issues.

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