Parenting is a fulfilling job that comes with responsibilities and challenges. As parents, it is our responsibility to provide care and support to our children as they grow up.

In recent years, there have been significant changes in parental licenses, and new benefits have been introduced to help parents with their responsibilities. In this article, we will be discussing the changes in parental licenses and the benefits parents can now enjoy.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted in 1993 to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family-related or medical reasons. The law applies to public agencies and private employers who have 50 or more employees.

The leave can be taken for the birth or adoption of a child, the serious health condition of the employee, or to take care of a family member with a serious health condition. The law allows parents to take time off work without fear of losing their job or their health benefits. This is an important benefit for parents, and it helps them balance the demands of work and family life.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 to provide Americans with better access to health care.

The law requires insurance companies to cover preventive care services, such as vaccinations and well-child visits, at no cost to the patient. The ACA also requires insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, which is important for families with children who have medical conditions.

In addition, the law allows young adults up to age 26 to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan, even if they are not living at home or financially dependent on their parents. The ACA has made it easier for parents to access health care services and provided them with peace of mind knowing that their children are covered by health insurance.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) was enacted in 1978 to prohibit discrimination against women on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.

The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and requires them to treat pregnant employees the same as other employees in terms of job assignments, promotions, training, and benefits. The law also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, such as more frequent breaks or lighter duty assignments, if such accommodations would not cause an undue hardship.

The PDA protects the rights of pregnant employees and makes it easier for them to balance work and family obligations.

The Working Families Flexibility Act (WFFA)

The Working Families Flexibility Act (WFFA) was introduced in Congress in 2017 to provide employees with more flexibility in how they use their paid time off.

The law would allow private-sector employers to offer employees the option to receive compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay. Employees who work more than 40 hours in a week would be eligible to receive compensatory time off at a rate of 1.5 hours for each hour of overtime worked.

The time off could be used at a later date, enabling parents to take time off work to attend school events, go to the doctor with their children, or simply spend time with their family. The WFFA would provide parents with more flexibility in their work schedules and allow them to better balance work and family obligations.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC)

The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) is a tax credit that helps parents pay for child care. The credit is available to parents who pay for the care of a child under the age of 13 or a dependent who is unable to care for themselves.

The credit can be used for a variety of child care expenses, including daycare, preschool, and before- and after-school programs. The amount of the credit is based on the amount of child care expenses incurred during the tax year and the parent’s income. The CDCC is an important benefit for parents who need help paying for child care.

The National Paid Family Leave Act (NPFLA)

The National Paid Family Leave Act (NPFLA) was introduced in Congress in 2017 to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family-related or medical reasons.

The law would apply to all employees, including those who work for small businesses. The leave could be taken for the birth or adoption of a child, the serious health condition of the employee, or to take care of a family member with a serious health condition.

The law would require employers to continue to provide health benefits to employees on leave, and it would prohibit discrimination against employees who take leave. The NPFLA would be an important benefit for parents, enabling them to take time off work to care for their families without the fear of losing their income or their job.

The Child Tax Credit (CTC)

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a tax credit that helps parents reduce their federal income tax liability. The credit is available to parents with children under the age of 17, and the amount of the credit is based on the parent’s income.

The credit can be worth up to $2,000 per child, and up to $1,400 of the credit can be refundable. The CTC is an important benefit for parents who need help paying for the cost of raising a child.

The Bottom Line

Parents face many responsibilities and challenges in raising their children. Fortunately, there are many benefits available to parents to help them balance work and family obligations.

From the Family and Medical Leave Act to the Child Tax Credit, these benefits provide parents with financial and legal protections, as well as flexibility in how they use their time off. As parents, it is important to be aware of these benefits and take advantage of them when needed.