The Pay for Family Care and Bonding (PFCB) program has been approved by President Michael V. Drake, M.D., and will be available as of July 1, 2021. Also effective July 1, UC’s new Adoption Assistance Plan will reimburse faculty and staff who are expanding their families through adoption for some of their related expenses.
Pay for Family Care and Bonding
UC’s Family and Medical Leave (FML) provides job protection when employees need time off, consistent with federal and state law. The PFCB program gives employees the option to replace some of the income they would otherwise lose during their approved leave. Employees who are on a qualifying FML who opt to receive PFCB can receive 70% of their eligible earnings for up to eight workweeks per calendar year.
To qualify, the FML must be taken in a block of one workweek or more, for any of the following qualifying reasons:
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition
- Bonding with a new child
- Military Caregiver Leave
- Qualifying Exigency Leave
PFCB is not an option when FML is taken for an employee’s own serious health condition or pregnancy disability.
UC’s Adoption Assistance Program
UC’s Adoption Assistance Plan reimburses those who are eligible for up to $5,000 of expenses related to adoption. There’s no need to enroll, and all expenses for the Plan are paid by the University.
As employees go through the adoption process, they should keep receipts for eligible expenses — such as attorney fees and court costs, travel expenses, counseling fees and home suitability study fees. After the adoption is final, employees work with WEX, the plan administrator, to verify the adoption and submit claims for reimbursement.
For questions regarding either of the new programs, employees should contact their department’s benefits representative or Benefit Services in CHR.
