Paid Family Leave
The support you need, when you need it most.
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.
- Support a family member in the US armed forces who is deploying to a foreign country.
If eligible, you can receive benefits for up to eight weeks. Your benefit amount is 70–90% 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:
- PFL Benefit Payment Amounts
- Integration of Benefits
- Part-time Intermittent Reduced Work Schedule
- Choosing Your Benefit Payment Option
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 taking time off to support a family member in the US armed forces deploying to a foreign country.
Licensed Health Professionals
For licensed health professionals looking for information about certifying claims, 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.
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.
Social Media Toolkits
Use our social media toolkits to help spread the word about our programs, services, news and updates!
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
- Overview of California’s Paid Family Leave Program (DE 2530) (PDF) Program information about the financing structure, demographics, statistics, state operations, and legislative history.