Article
3 min read
What is California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL)? A 2025 Guide
US payroll
PEO
Author
Shannon Ongaro
Last Update
June 13, 2025
Key takeaways
- California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides partial wage replacement for eligible workers taking up to 8 weeks off to bond with a new child, care for an ill family member, or manage military-related family obligations.
- PFL benefits cover 70%-90% of an employee’s earnings (up to $1,681 USD per week), funded through employee payroll deductions, without offering job protection itself, though protection may be available under CFRA or FMLA.
- Deel’s PEO service simplifies HR and compliance complexities, specifically designed to help California employers efficiently manage state-specific leave and benefits obligations.
Whether your team members are welcoming a new child, caring for a seriously ill relative, or supporting a family member in the military, understanding California’s Paid Family Leave program is key.
At Deel, we simplify HR processes with our payroll expertise and built-in compliance tailored for California businesses. This guide breaks down who qualifies for California PFL, the application process, and how it interacts with federal laws like FMLA.
Understanding California Paid Family Leave
The California Paid Family Leave (PFL) law is a state program that provides partial wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need to take time off from work for certain family-related reasons. It is part of the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program and is funded through employee payroll deductions.
What California PFL covers
The PFL does not provide job-protected leave, but the paid benefits may be taken concurrently with the 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if the employee is eligible for these protections.
| Leave type | Description | Length of Leave Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding with a new child | Either or both parents within 1 year of birth or adoption, or foster care placement | 8 weeks |
| Caring for a seriously ill family member | Caring for a child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, parent-in-law | 8 weeks |
| Military exigencies | Situations related to the active duty or call to active duty of a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent | 8 weeks |
See also: Comprehensive Guide to Payroll Taxes in California
California PFL benefits
The Paid Family Leave (PFL) will provide up to 8 weeks of benefits within a 12-month period. The amount is 70%-90% (depending on income) of the employee's salary earned 5 to 18 months before the leave claim’s starting date, up to a maximum limit of $1,681.
California PFL eligibility and applicability
Employee eligibility
- Employees who have paid into the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program through payroll deductions.
- There is no minimum length of employment required to be eligible for PFL benefits.
- Employees must have earned at least $300 from which SDI deductions were withheld during a 12-month base period.
Employer applicability
- All employers, regardless of the size of their workforce
See also: A Guide to California Independent Contractor Laws
How to apply to the California PFL program
Employees must apply for California State Disability benefits with the Employee Development Department.
Keep compliant with Deel PEO
New to managing benefits and leave laws in California? Consider using a professional employer organization for California entities. With Deel PEO, you can offload compliance risks and processes to ensure state-specific alignment.
- Fully in-house operations for improved support and workflows
- Expert payroll administration, HR, and benefits compliance
- Exclusive Aetna International benefits plans for W2 employees travelling abroad
- Built-in compliance for local and federal coverage
- 60+ domestic benefits plans with Fortune 500-caliber benefits
- Trainings, HR policies, and on-demand HR support
- And more
To learn more about how you can use Deel PEO to scale in the US, book a 30-minute call with one of our dedicated experts.
About the author
Shannon Ongaro is a content marketing manager and trained journalist with over a decade of experience producing content that supports franchisees, small businesses, and global enterprises. Over the years, she’s covered topics such as payroll, HR tech, workplace culture, and more. At Deel, Shannon specializes in thought leadership and global payroll content.
