Improving Rhode Island’s Paid Leave Program (TCI)

Intro

Rhode Island was a leader in creating one of the nation’s first paid leave programs for its workers–the Temporary Caregiver Insurance program (TCI). Since January 2014, TCI helps you afford to take time off from work so you can:

  • care for a seriously ill child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law, or grandparent
  • bond with a newborn child, adopted child, or foster child

TCI provides up to six weeks of partial wage replacement and protects your job and seniority while you are on leave. To learn more, see our TCI Guide Page or RIPaidleave.net

 

Legislation

For TCI/TDI increase the taxable wage base for employees paying into program; increase benefit for lower-wage workers; and allow self-employed individuals to opt into the system.

House Bill 7444 (Diaz)/Senate Bill 7444 (Miller)

Increase the TCI maximum benefit from 6 to 12 weeks and expand the program to cover care for siblings, grandchildren, and other care recipients.

House Bill 5781 (Kazarian)/Senate Bill 0139 (Lawson)


Under the status quo, many small businesses can’t afford to provide paid leave on their own, which can result in costly turnover if an employee has to leave their job due to health or caregiving demands. A statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program helps reduce costs and levels the playing field for businesses of all sizes.

Webinar: Learn about Paid Leave for Caregivers

Rhode Island is a leader in providing paid family leave through the Temporary Caregiver Insurance program (TCI) so that workers can take time off work to care for a seriously ill loved one. Many Rhode Islanders are caregivers for their older parents or other family members but don’t know about TCI.

This webinar explains the program, who is eligible, and how to apply. The webinar is intended for caregivers, staff at senior centers, senior residences, social service agencies and others who touch seniors and their families.