A new generative AI tool is now available to help parents navigate the process of applying for paid family leave, expanding its services to every state that provides this benefit.

Called Paidleave.ai, this free AI chatbot from the national nonprofit Moms First will now assist working mothers in nine states and in the District of Columbia, according to CEO and founder Reshma Saujani, who shared this update exclusively with YSL News.

Saujani intends to formally announce this news on Tuesday at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York.

During an interview, Saujani expressed her hope that expanding the service nationally will encourage more parents to utilize these benefits. She also aims to build momentum toward a nationwide mandate.

“When more people share their stories like, ‘I took leave to care for my sick father’ or ‘I was there for my baby in the NICU,’ it will make it easier to push for federal paid leave,” she remarked.

This development arises as bipartisan support is increasing for a federal paid family leave policy.

While there is significant bipartisan backing for paid leave among voters, the U.S. remains one of the few countries—particularly among developed nations—without a federal paid leave policy.

Typically, paid family leave provides a percentage of a worker’s paycheck for 8 to 12 weeks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. offered paid leave and subsidized childcare, but most of these provisions ended afterward.

According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 27% of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave via their employers.

Those who need to take unpaid time off the most often have the least access to paid leave options.

For example, only 6% of workers in the lowest wage bracket—mainly women and workers of color—have access to this benefit, as opposed to nearly half of those in the highest wage bracket.

Paid family leave has become a significant issue during the presidential election cycle, although there is much disagreement over funding strategies.

A poll conducted in June by Morning Consult, in collaboration with Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures and the Bipartisan Policy Center, found that 80% of voters want more attention from politicians on caregiving policies like paid leave. Additionally, one in four voters and one in three younger voters regularly provide care for family members.

While serving as vice president, Kamala Harris supported President Joe Biden’s unsuccessful effort to secure 12 weeks of paid leave for all workers. Additionally, her running mate Tim Walz implemented paid leave policies during his tenure as governor of Minnesota.

President Donald Trump also advocated for a parental leave policy, influenced by his daughter Ivanka Trump, and established paid leave for federal employees during his administration.

Recent findings from the University of Maryland’s Program for Public Consultation show that majorities of Americans across six swing states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—along with a national majority, favor creating a national 12-week paid family and medical leave program for all workers.

In Pennsylvania, a plan proposing up to 20 weeks of paid family leave funded by a payroll tax has bipartisan support but faces opposition from GOP members. Nevertheless, a University of Maryland poll indicates that 55% of Pennsylvania Republicans favor a paid family leave requirement.

As bipartisan efforts in Congress to expand paid leave benefits have stagnated, several states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington—along with the District of Columbia, have taken the initiative to fill this gap.

By 2026, four additional states—Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, and Maryland—will also begin offering these benefits.

However, even where paid family leave programs exist, participation remains surprisingly low, according to Saujani.

Fewer than 5% of eligible workers utilize paid family leave because they are often unaware of the benefits, and the application process tends to be complex and challenging, she stated.

Saujani created Moms First’s free AI chatbot to address these issues. Paidleave.ai was initially launched as a pilot program in New York in December 2023.

This chatbot is equipped with reliable information on paid family leave programs, guiding parents through the entire process—from understanding benefits to completing applications.

“For many parents visiting state websites to apply for paid leave, the experience can be overwhelming. By leveraging generative AI, we can make the benefits process clearer for parents and provide answers to their inquiries,” said Saujani. “It clearly outlines three key points: Am I eligible for benefits? What amount will I receive? How much time can I take off? And what steps do I need to take?”

In New York, the most significant rise in paid family leave usage was observed among women of color. To assist low- and moderate-income parents in states that offer paid leave programs, Moms First is initiating a digital campaign named “Paid Leave Pays.”

“The pilot program in New York confirmed what we already understood: moms are deeply concerned about this issue, and we must come up with innovative solutions to ensure they receive the benefits they rightfully deserve,” Saujani stated.