Paid Family Leave
What California Paid Family Leave pays, how long it lasts, who counts as family, and how it differs from job-protected leave.
Statewide guides
Paid Family Leave at a glance
California Paid Family Leave (PFL) replaces part of your wages while you bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member or handle Military Assist needs. This page summarizes what PFL pays, how long it lasts and who counts as family, and links to our full guide on how to apply. We're an independent guide, so always file your claim with EDD at edd.ca.gov.
| Item | Rule | Guide link |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly benefit | About 70% to 90% of your wages, $50 to $1,765 a week for 2026 claims | Paid Family Leave guide |
| Maximum length | Up to 8 weeks in a 12-month period | Paid Family Leave guide |
| Filing deadline | No earlier than your first day of leave and no later than 41 days after it begins | Paid Family Leave guide |
| Earnings needed | At least $300 in wages with SDI deducted, earned about 5 to 18 months before your claim starts | Paid Family Leave guide |
| Waiting period | None, since 2018 | Paid Family Leave guide |
| Bonding window | Within the first year after a birth, adoption or foster placement | Paid Family Leave guide |
Where to start
- If you need to know what PFL pays, how many weeks you get, which documents to gather or when to apply, read California Paid Family Leave: what it pays and how long it lasts.
- If you need benefits for your own pregnancy or recovery before bonding leave, read the SDI guide.
- If you need unemployment after your last PFL payment, read the unemployment eligibility guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Paid Family Leave pay in California?
PFL pays about 70% to 90% of your wages, depending on your income. For 2026 claims, the weekly range is $50 to $1,765. Lower earners get the higher percentage.
Does Paid Family Leave protect my job?
No, not by itself. PFL pays benefits, but it doesn't hold your job for you.
Job protection comes from other laws. The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) covers employers with five or more employees and offers up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave in a 12-month period. The federal FMLA covers larger employers.
Who counts as family for a Paid Family Leave care claim?
EDD lists a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or registered domestic partner. More than one person can care for the same relative, but you're only paid for the time you're the primary caregiver.