Employers must post this poster informing employees of their rights to claim PFL and other benefits. They must give this brochure to new hires and employees who ask to take PFL for a covered reason. Your claim will not be processed until all the required sections of the application are received, as explained in the previous steps. If you want more information on how to file a claim online through SDI Online, review the SDI Online Claimant Tutorial.

Can I remove the child support deduction from my Paid Family Leave benefit payment?

This includes the physician/practitioner medical certification. PFL is funded by mandatory payroll deductions from covered workers. This means that your previous paychecks helped pay for your own benefits and the benefits of millions of other eligible Californians. For more information about the elective coverage program, visit Disability Insurance Elective Coverage.

This Decision sets forth the Superintendent’s determination regarding the premium rate for Paid Family Leave benefits for the 2026 calendar year, pursuant to Insurance Law § 4235(n)(1). Next, fill out the requested information to complete your SDI Online account registration. Paid Family Leave is a crucial workplace support that has both immediate and long-term benefits to the health, well-being, and economic security of California workers and their families. We may also need to contact your employer or your care recipient’s licensed health professional. Termination will not interfere with your benefits as long as you continue to meet the other eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Submit Required Documentation

After you have created an account and logged back in to myEDD, select SDI Online, which will direct you to the SDI Online Registration page. Select your account type and complete the requested information. Once your SDI Online registration is complete, log in to myEDD again and select SDI Online once more to be directed to your Home page to file your claim. If your employer has a voluntary plan and you need to apply for family leave, talk to your employer’s personnel or benefits office for more information. If you are unsure if you are eligible to receive PFL benefits, apply. We will let you know if you meet eligibility requirements.

  • You must complete the application and send all the supporting documents so we can process your claim.
  • To request an application or inquire about the status of an application, contact the EDD directly.
  • You may represent yourself or bring a legal representative.
  • The fastest and easiest way to file a PFL claim is through SDI Online.
  • Reporting this information ensures you receive the correct benefit amount and prevents an overpayment.
  • All are available at no cost and can be downloaded or delivered by mail.

To complete forms, you may need to download and save them on your computer, then open them with the no-cost Adobe Reader. You may represent yourself or bring a legal representative. New medical documentation may be submitted during the appeal. Some individuals may be ineligible due to wage requirements, employer classification, or the nature of their work.

What information regarding California PFL must employers provide?

All court orders to begin or end child support obligations are submitted to us through California Child Support Services. It only provides paid benefits when you need time off work for family leave. However, your job may be protected through other laws, such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Employers must post and provide information regarding California PFL.

pfl claims

Early studies showed that California’s Paid Family Leave program contributed to doubling the median duration of infant breast/chestfeeding. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that the economic security created by accessing paid leave is a key important element in the prevention of domestic violence in this 2017 report. After we get your completed claim application, we send you the Notice of Computation (DE 429DF).

California Residents

PFL can be taken intermittently on an hourly, daily or weekly basis as needed. To learn more, visit Calculating Paid Family Leave Benefit Payment Amounts or use the Weekly Benefit Amount Calculator to estimate your benefit amount.

  • If your Paid Family Leave claim ends and you are still unemployed, you may return to your UI claim benefits as long as you are still out of work and otherwise eligible.
  • California does not require employers to hold the employee’s job unless covered by FMLA/CFRA, but most employees do return to their position after PFL.
  • When bonding with your new child or caring for an ill family member, you need benefits to cover lost wages.
  • Your employer will be notified that you have submitted a PFL claim.
  • A VP must provide all the benefits of SDI and at least one benefit that is better than SDI.

Step 2: Create your myEDD Account

This has your potential weekly benefit amount based on the wages in your base period. To complete your PFL Bonding claim, care claim, and military assist claim, you must submit additional documents. If you submitted your claim through SDI Online, you may scan and upload them to your claim or mail paper copies. All PFL claims must be completed and submitted no earlier than the first day your family leave begins but no later than 41 days after your first day of leave.

Benefits

pfl claims

The premium rate, like the benefit amount, is set as a percentage of an employee’s covered wage. Your employer will be notified that you have submitted a PFL claim. However, medical information is confidential and will not be shared with your employer. California residents can apply for paid leave benefits through the Employment Development Department (EDD) of California. If you are eligible, we will send you an Electronic Benefit Payment Notification (DE 2500E).

By filling pfl claims in your application completely and verifying that all information is correct, you help ensure your benefit payment is issued promptly. Community rating ensures that all employees are similarly treated and are not subject to cost variations based upon age, gender, geographic location, or any other demographic factor. It provides only paid benefits when workers need time off for family leave. It’s important to note, however, that other laws provide job protections for workers taking leave for family reasons. These laws include the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act.

These payments do not include job protection, but other laws like the FMLA or California Family Rights Act (CFRA) may protect your position while you’re on leave. Paid family leave is a program that provides employed Californians up to eight weeks of partial pay to take time off work to care for an ill family member or to bond with a new child. California workers fund the EDD Paid Family Leave (PFL) program through a State Disability Insurance payroll deduction. Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers who need time off work for family leave. The PFL and SDI programs are administered by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), not your employer. To request an application or inquire about the status of an application, contact the EDD directly.