Español
Celebrating 20 Years of Paid Family Leave
Higher Benefit Payments for New Claims in 2025!
Beginning January 1, 2025, many new disability and Paid Family Leave (PFL) claims will be paid higher benefit amounts, including up to 90% of wages for individuals making less than $63,000 per year, and 70% of wages for higher income workers.
- Disability and PFL benefit rates will increase to about 70–90% of regular weekly wages for benefit payments on new claims in 2025. Higher rates mean higher benefit payments for many customers.
- All disability and PFL claims that start in 2024 will be calculated at 60–70% of wages even if the claim continues into 2025.
- All pregnancy-related claims beginning in 2024 will get 60–70% of wages for both their disability and PFL baby bonding claim, even if the PFL claim begins in 2025.
To learn more about the new benefit rates, visit the 2025 Benefit Payment FAQs.
Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides benefit payments to people who need to take time off work to:
- Care for a seriously ill family member.
- Bond with a new child.
- Participate in a qualifying event because of a family member’s military deployment.
If eligible, you can receive benefit payments for up to eight weeks. Payments are about 60 to 70 percent of your weekly wages earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date. For more information about what may affect your benefit payments visit:
You will choose your benefit payment option when you file your claim:
- Direct deposit (SDI Online claims only)
- Debit card
- Check
To learn more, visit Your Benefit Payment Options.
PFL provides benefit payments but not job protection. Your job may be protected by other laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act.
You can apply for PFL online or by mail. We recommend that you apply online.
New! You can now view your PFL claim status, access payment history and upload documents on SDI Online.
Birth Mothers
For people who are pregnant or new mothers who recently gave birth.
Adoptive or Foster Parents
For new parents, either through adoption or foster care.
Military Family Members
For those participating in a qualifying event due to a family member’s military deployment to a foreign country.
Physicians and Practitioners
For physicians or practitioners looking for information about certifying claims, claim processing, and more.
Employers
For employers looking for information about PFL, Disability Insurance, voluntary plans, and more.
Self-Employed
For self-employed individuals or independent contractors looking for information about PFL, Disability Insurance, voluntary plans, and more.
Voluntary Plans
For employers and employees looking for information about voluntary plans, including security deposit requirements, online services, and eligibility requirements.
Celebrating 20 Years
Learn more about how the nation’s first PFL program has grown in 20 years of supporting Californians being there for the moments that matter most in their families.
Read- Celebrating 20 Years of Paid Family Leave
Community Partners – PFL General Toolkit
Community partners play a valuable role assisting people who need Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits. We’ve created this toolkit with information and materials about PFL to share with your members, clients, customers, and community.
Additional Resources
Can’t find what you are looking for? View these resources for more information:
- PFL FAQs
- PFL Forms and Publications
- State Disability Insurance Tutorials and Videos
- Contact State Disability Insurance
- Overpayments
- Appeals
- Benefits and Resources for Undocumented Workers
- Acceptable Documents for Verification
Policy makers, program administrators, and stakeholders can view the Overview of California’s Paid Family Leave Program (DE 2530) (PDF). It provides information about the program’s financing structure, eligibility requirements, demographic and program statistics, state operations, and legislative history.