Connecticut Paid Family Leave covers mental health, caregiver support beyond blood relations

Connecticut’s paid family leave program provides wage replacement for people who need time to care for a serious health condition or to care for someone with one, and it explicitly covers mental health and addiction treatment, the podcast host and the state comptroller said.

On the Paid Leave podcast, Sean Scanlon, Connecticut’s comptroller, praised the program’s caregiver definition, which Barrow noted “you don't have to be blood related,” meaning a caregiver can be a neighbor, coworker, partner or close friend who provides care. Barrow added that many listeners do not realize the program extends to mental health and substance-use treatment.

Why it matters: Supporters say the expanded caregiver definition and coverage for mental health reduce the “impossible choices” families face when balancing work and caregiving. Scanlon said the program is a “game changer” because it prevents parents and workers from having to choose between employment and caring for a loved one.

Details and outreach: Scanlon described a roundtable that included AARP and other advocacy groups to raise awareness of caregiving challenges and paid leave benefits. He said one of the biggest implementation gaps is public awareness: "If I had a dollar for every day that I hear somebody telling me about a story and I say, 'Have you checked out, can I get paid family leave?' and they're saying, 'no,' 'What is that?'" Scanlon said.

How to apply: For more information or to apply for benefits, the podcast directed listeners to ctpaidleave.org.

The episode closed with a reminder from host Nancy Barrow that Connecticut paid leave is “a public act with a personal purpose,” and a call to subscribe to the podcast for future episodes.