California
California offers income protection to eligible workers through the State Disability (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs.
Eligibility:
Employers
Most employers with employees working in California are required to provide coverage under the CA SDI/PFL programs.
Some public and governmental agencies are not required to participate but can elect coverage on an optional basis.
Employees
Employees are eligible if they have earned at least $300 during the base period and contributed to the California SDI program through payroll deductions. The base period is the 4 calendar quarters prior to the leave start date and includes wages subject to SDI tax 5-18 months before the leave began.
Benefits overview
Disability
- Employee’s own non-work related illness or injury
Family leave
- Bond with a new child after birth, adoption, or foster care placement
- Care for a family member with a serious health condition
- Military exigency related to a family member’s active military duty or call to duty
52 weeks for disability
8 weeks for family leave
60-70% wage replacement
The maximum benefit is $1,620
The minimum benefit is $50
There is a 7-day waiting period for CA SDI. There is no waiting period for CA PFL so benefits begin the first day of leave.
Leave can be taken continuously or on an intermittent basis
Leave under California PFL is not job protected leave
Additional information:
Private Plans
Employers may choose to provide CA SDI/PFL coverage through a private plan of a self-funded basis. Private plans must exceed the minimum requirements of the CA state plan in at least one aspect.
Covered Family Members
Under California PFL, employees may take family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Covered relationships include:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child (biological, adopted, or foster)
- Parent or parent-in-law
- Sibling
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
To learn more about California’s paid leave program, visit the California Employment Development Department website.