Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI)

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About FAMLI

The FAMLI program will provide all eligible employees a portion of their weekly salary for up to 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or a family member, with an additional four weeks of leave for complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

FAMLI aims to ensure that Coloradoans don’t have to choose between earning a paycheck or caring for themselves or their family in a time of need. It can be used by all employees who reside in Colorado, including faculty, staff, student employees, and graduate students.

FAMLI will provide 12-16 weeks of paid leave for the following events:

  • To manage their own serious health condition.
  • To care for a family member with a serious health condition.
  • To care for a new child (within the first year of birth, foster placement or adoption).
  • To make arrangements for military deployments.
  • To address immediate safety needs and impact of domestic violence or sexual assault.

See required steps and more information below:

Steps to File a FAMLI Claim

Step 1

Notify Employer

Notify your employer if you need to be out of work because of an illness, injury or pregnancy. Listed below are the requirements and information needed before making a claim.

Qualifying leave reasons for FAMLI benefits:

  • Medical Leave (For your own medical condition)
  • Family Leave (To care for a family member or new child)

Information required for filing a claim:

  • Employee Contact Information (including name, birth date, social security number, address, etc.)
  • Information about the reason for the leave
  • Work schedule
  • Information about any other benefits (such as workers compensation)
  • Health care provider contact information
Step 2

Submit Claim with New York Life Group Benefit Solutions

Contact New York Life Group Benefit Solutions to start your claim. They will determine which leave benefits you are eligible for (including FAMLI, FMLA, Short-Term or Long-Term Disability) and provide forms for processing the claim.

    You can start the claim by phone or online, see below for instructions:

    • Set up Online Claims Account through myNYLGBS.com
    • Phone: (888) 842-4462 (English) Available 7:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. CST.
    • Phone: (866) 562-8421 (Espanol) Available 7:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. CST.
    • Email: AbsenceManagement@newyorklife.com
    Step 3

    Give Permission

    New York Life Group Benefit Solutions will require your permission to contact health care providers for your claim-related information. You can give permission:

    • Online after your claim has been submitted (you'll receive a notification).
    • During your claim call.
    Step 4

    Check Claim or Leave Status

    To check the status of your leave or claim:

    Step 5

    Additional Resources

    For questions during the claim process:

    • Live Chat on myNYLGBS.com
    • Phone: (888) 842-4462 (English) Available 7:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. CST.
    • Phone: (866) 562-8421 (Espanol) Available 7:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. CST.
    • Email: AbsenceManagement@newyorklife.com
    • Mailing Address: New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, P.O. Box 29050, Phoenix, AZ 85038

    More resources are in the links below:

    FAMLI Program Frequently Asked Questions

    What is FAMLI?

    Colorado voters passed Proposition 118 in November 2020, approving the creation of the Family and Medicare Leave Insurance Program. It passed with 57.75% of voters supporting the initiative.

    This social insurance program provides all Colorado workers a portion of their weekly salary for up to 12 weeks to care themselves or their families, with an additional four weeks of leave for pregnancy or childbirth complications.

    When does the program benefits begin for DU employees?

    FAMLI will begin providing benefits on January 1, 2024.

    You can apply for FAMLI prior to January 1, 2024 if you are expecting a qualified leave of absence in 2024.

    Who is eligible for FAMLI?

    FAMLI leave can be used by all employees who reside in Colorado, including faculty, staff, student employees working and living in Colorado who earn wages of at least $2,500.

    Employees working and living in Colorado who earn wages through DU’s payroll will see an after-tax deduction in each paycheck. This includes non-benefited employees, student employees, and graduate assistants.

    Employees are eligible for FAMLI payments on day one of employment provided they have at least $2,500 from another employer in the State of Colorado. Employees may receive job protection through FAMLI after 180 days of employment.

    Who qualifies as a family member for FAMLI benefits?

    Understanding that families are not always traditional, family members include a covered individual’s child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or someone with whom they have a significant personal bond.

    How is FAMLI funded?

    The FAMLI Program will be funded by both the University and the employee. Employee premiums are set 0.45% of the employee’s wage. Premiums will be deducted post-tax (will not reduce an employee’s taxable income).

    Can I opt out of FAMLI?

    No. Individual employees in Colorado may not opt out of participating in FAMLI.

      I live and work outside of Colorado. Can I use FAMLI?

      FAMLI benefits can only be utilized by in-state employees. Out-of-state employees do not pay the premium deduction and must use their state’s family medical leave policies, if available.

      How often can I use FAMLI benefits?

      Employees are allowed 12 weeks of partial wage replacement through FAMLI every rolling 12-month period.

      Difference between FAMLI and Other Leave Programs

      How does FAMLI work with other types of leave programs?

      FAMLI may either run concurrently or in conjunction with other leave programs:

      • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): FMLA is a federal program that provides job protection for 12 weeks per rolling 12 months. FMLA will run concurrently with FAMLI when the need for leave meets the FMLA requirements.
      • Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave runs concurrently with FAMLI and FMLA.
      • Short-Term Disability: Provides up to 60% of pre-disability pay for up to 13 weeks – with 2 weeks elimination period. If enrolled in short-term disability, it will run concurrently with FAMLI and FMLA.
      • Vacation and Sick Leave: Accrued through benefited employment, this leave can be used in conjunction with FAMLI, FMLA, STD and Parental Leave.
      FAMLI verses FMLA

      Additional Resources

      How to File a Claim with New York Life

      FAMLI - Benefit Calculation Guide

      FAMLI - FAQ's

      Colorado FAMLI Website

      Contact

       

      HRIC Benefits Specialists