During the last round of negotiations, the DGA procured a new Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Benefit on behalf of our members. The purpose of this benefit is to provide partial income replacement for DGA members who take leave from employment to bond with their newborn, newly adopted, or newly fostered child. Administered by the Plans, this new PPL benefit will become available beginning July 1, 2025.
The PPL benefit will be available for a 12-month period from the date of birth, adoption, or fostership. A qualifying participant can take only one Paid Parental Leave benefit in any 24-month period. To qualify, the Participant must be on Earned Coverage (i.e., Earned Active, Earned Inactive, Regular Carry-Over) or COBRA Continuation Coverage at the time of the qualifying event. Extended Self-Pay Coverage, Total Disability Extension or Retiree (i.e., Retiree Carry-Over, Certified Retiree) Coverage are excluded and not eligible for the PPL benefit. Additionally, the qualifying health coverage must have contributions made on your behalf by employers that are obligated to contribute for the PPL benefit (currently employers covered by the Basic Agreement or Freelance Live & Tape Television Agreement) during the applicable earnings period on either initial compensation or residual compensation.
If the Participant is on any of the qualifying health coverage, the PPL benefit amount is based on your level of Health Plan coverage at the time of birth, adoption, or fostership as follows:
- For Premier Choice, DGA Gold Premier level participants, the Paid Parental Leave Benefit Amount is $2,000/week and the Maximum Benefit Amount at 8 Weeks is $16,000.
- For Choice, DGA Gold Choice, DGA Silver, DGA Bronze level participants, the Paid Parental Leave Benefit Amount is $1,200/week, and the Maximum Benefit Amount at 8 Weeks is $9,600
The PPL benefit is paid weekly for up to 8 weeks, and the weeks do not need to be taken sequentially. However, the benefit may be taken only in full week increments (or 5 consecutive days). Although you must have qualifying health coverage under the Health Plan at the time of birth, adoption or fostering of a child, you do not have to maintain your health coverage throughout the leave period.
To qualify for the PPL benefit, the Participant must have qualifying health coverage under the Health Plan at the time of the birth, date of adoption of the child or the date of formally fostering a child. The Participant’s qualifying health coverage only needs to be in place at the time of the birth, adoption or fostering and is not required to be maintained throughout the leave period.
A qualified Participant can take only one PPL benefit in any 24-month period.
The PPL benefit application materials will become available on July 1, 2025 at www.dgaplans.org/forms/paid-parental-leave and by request from the Health Plan office.
DGA Members, click here for more information on the Paid Parental Leave Benefit or call (877) 866-2200.
