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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Paid Family Leave

As part of its ongoing state benefits programs for workers, the State of California provides for paid family leave for employees. The paid family leave program provides for up to six weeks of benefit payments for eligible employees who experience a full or partial loss of wages (approximately 60-70% of wages, depending on income, and ranging from $50-$1,300 a week for up to 52 weeks) due to taking time off work to care for a seriously ill child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, registered domestic partner, or to bond with a new child entering the family through birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

The State has clarified that the benefit is available to otherwise eligible employees who are unable to work because they are caring for family members who are ill or quarantined because of COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).

Government or Lead Agency

State of California, Employment Development Department (EDD)

Dates Available

Ongoing

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

For full eligibility requirements, claimants should directly consult the official guidance from the EDD, which can be found in the link below:

https://www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/Am_I_Eligible_for_PFL_Benefits.htm

For COVID-19-related claims, certification by a medical professional is required.

Citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

No earlier than the first day family leave begins, but no later than 41 days after such family leave begins.

Contact for More Information

Contact information for the EDD is available at: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/contact_edd.htm.

For Disability Insurance, call (877) 238-4373 (English) or (877) 379-3819 (Spanish). Contact information for additional languages is available at the URL above.

List of Additional Information

Coronavirus 2019 FAQs (Disability or Paid Family Leave Benefits): https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm

Benefits Chart: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/#chart

How to File Paid Family Leave Claim: https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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