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 four 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

Increase TCI maximum benefit from 4 to 12 weeks and expand the program to cover care for siblings, grandchildren, and other care recipients. For TCI/TDI increase the taxable wage base for employers paying into program; increase benefit for lower-wage workers and create tax credit for low-wage tax filers who paid into fund but did not receive benefits; allow self-employed individuals to opt into system.

House Bill 7444 (Cassar)

Require employers to c0-contribute to the TDI/TCI (as is done in MA and most other states with paid family leave) to reduce the burden borne by lower-wage workers and ensure sustainability of the fund. Currently, TDI and TCI are entirely funded by workers through payroll deductions.

House Bill 7794 (Giraldo)

Facts

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.

Click here to tell us your storyLegislation will be introduced this year to expand the number of weeks employees can take Rhode Island's Paid Family Leave Program, the Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI), and make it more affordable for lower-wage workers. Please help expand paid family leave in Rhode Island by sharing your story on how TCI has helped you!

For a list of organizations who support TCI expansion in RI, click here.

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.