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Celebrating 20 Years of Paid Family Leave

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.

Apply Online Eligibility Requirements Calculate Benefit Payments

Birth Mothers

For people who are pregnant or new mothers who recently gave birth.

PFL for Birth Mothers

Fathers

For new biological fathers.

PFL for Fathers
 

Adoptive or Foster Parents

For new parents, either through adoption or foster care.

PFL for Adoptive or Foster Parents

Caregivers

For those providing care to a seriously ill family member.

PFL for Caregivers
 

Military Family Members

For those participating in a qualifying event due to a family member’s military deployment to a foreign country.

PFL for Military Family Members

Physicians and Practitioners

For physicians or practitioners looking for information about certifying claims, claim processing, and more.

Physician Information
 

Employers

For employers looking for information about PFL, Disability Insurance, voluntary plans, and more.

Employer Information

Self-Employed

For self-employed individuals or independent contractors looking for information about PFL, Disability Insurance, voluntary plans, and more.

Self-Employed Information

Voluntary Plans

For employers and employees looking for information about voluntary plans, including security deposit requirements, online services, and eligibility requirements.

Voluntary Plan Information
 

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

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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.

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Additional Resources

Can’t find what you are looking for? View these resources for more information:

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.