California Paid Family Leave (CA PFL) 2026
Last updated: · Source: California Paid Family Leave
California Paid Family Leave
90% wage replacement · up to 8 weeks · effective 2004-07-01
Program Details
90% of wages for lower earners (up to roughly $65,120/year), 70% for higher earners, up to the weekly cap. Raised from a flat ~60-70% by SB 951, effective 2025.
| Weeks available | 8 |
| Wage replacement | 90% (tiered) |
| Max weekly benefit | $1,765 |
| Effective since | 2004-07-01 |
| Covers bonding with a new child | Yes |
| Covers caring for a family member | Yes |
| Covers military family leave | Yes |
Estimate Your California Benefit
Estimated California Paid Family Leave benefit
$900.00
per week
$7,200.00
over 8 weeks
90% of wages for lower earners (up to roughly $65,120/year), 70% for higher earners, up to the weekly cap. Raised from a flat ~60-70% by SB 951, effective 2025. Confirm your exact benefit with California Paid Family Leave's official calculator before making decisions.
Paid Family Leave benefits typically run concurrently with any federal FMLA leave that also qualifies — PFL pays you, FMLA protects your job. Check your FMLA eligibility →
How This Works With FMLA
Federal FMLA protects your job during qualifying leave but pays nothing. California Paid Family Leave is a separate state benefit that pays part of your wages during that same period. When a leave qualifies under both, they typically run concurrently — FMLA protects your position while CA PFL replaces part of your paycheck.
Frequently Asked Questions
California PFL, administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD), pays 70-90% of wages depending on income, up to a maximum of $1,765 per week, for up to 8 weeks. Lower earners get the higher 90% rate.
CASDI (California State Disability Insurance) is the payroll deduction line item on your paystub that funds both California's short-term disability program and Paid Family Leave — they're funded through the same employee contribution, administered by the same agency (EDD).
No. CA PFL only pays wage-replacement benefits — it does not protect your job. Job protection comes separately from federal FMLA or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), when you qualify for either. Most people use CA PFL alongside CFRA/FMLA, not instead of it.
File a claim directly with the EDD, either online through SDI Online or by mailing a paper DE 2501F form, ideally no earlier than the first day your leave begins.