May 10, 2019 - SACRAMENTO – In recognition of Mother’s Day, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) highlights California’s Paid Family Leave program, which provides eligible mothers and fathers with a portion of their income while taking time off from work to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member. The EDD encourages expectant and new mothers and fathers to learn more about this essential benefit program, access helpful resources and view a video featuring a new mother and the support she found in California’s Paid Family Leave program.

“Mother’s Day is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude to moms everywhere for the vital role they play in their child’s life and to highlight resources that make it financially possible at critical moments for people to provide care to new children and family members,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning. “California’s Paid Family Leave program provides mothers, fathers and family caregivers with benefits that give them opportunities to be with their families at critical times.”

California Paid Family Leave program at a Glance:

 California became the first state in the nation to create a Paid Family Leave program when the state law was enacted in 2002.

 Most employees have already paid for the program benefits through mandatory State Disability Insurance paycheck deductions noted as “CASDI” on most paystubs.

 Eligible employees may receive up to six weeks of partial wage replacement benefits – up to 70 percent of their wages, depending on income – to bond with a new child, including a newly-fostered or adopted child, during the child’s first year in the family. The Governor’s revised budget plan includes two additional weeks of paid leave beginning in July 2020.

 The leave can be used all at once, staggered or split up as needed, over a 12- month period.

Benefit payments range from $50 to a maximum of $1,252 per week. The EDD offers an online benefit calculator to provide workers with an estimate of their potential weekly benefits.

 A pregnant mom can receive up to four weeks of Disability Insurance benefits for a normal pregnancy before her expected due date and then transition to Paid Family Leave benefits for bonding.

 In addition to bonding with a child, eligible individuals may also use program benefits when caring for a seriously ill family member.

 More information about California Paid Family Leave benefits, eligibility and how to apply is available at californiapaidfamilyleave.com.

California Paid Family Leave program Statistics:

 The total number of women filing Paid Family Leave claims for bonding with a new child has increased from 123,632 in 2010 to 141,064 in 2018.

 The total number of men filing claims for bonding has steadily increased from 43,555 in 2010 to 94,396 in 2018.
Source: EDD