California maternity leave and paid family leave

EDD says pregnancy Disability Insurance usually lasts 10 to 12 weeks: up to 4 weeks before your due date and up to 6 weeks after a vaginal birth or 8 weeks after a C-section. Your doctor or midwife can certify longer if there are complications. After your last DI payment, EDD sends you a PFL New Mother claim (DE 2501FP) so you can add up to 8 weeks of bonding. California State Disability Insurance (SDI): Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) pays up to 8 weeks to bond with your baby. The legal maximum for your own health condition is 52 weeks.

About 70% to 90% of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim, based on your highest-earning quarter: 90% for lower earners, and for higher earners 70% (or a flat $1,127 in one middle band, per EDD's table). $50/week minimum, $1,765/week maximum in 2026. DI and PFL use the same formula and max. The weekly maximum in 2026 is $1,765, a ceiling rather than a typical benefit.

SDI and PFL do not protect your job; EDD says they pay benefits only. Job protection comes from other laws. California Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) gives up to 4 months of job-protected leave for pregnancy disability at employers with 5 or more employees, with no tenure or hours requirement. CFRA gives up to 12 weeks of job-protected bonding leave at employers with 5 or more employees if you have worked there at least 12 months and 1,250 hours. Federal FMLA covers employers with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. PDL and CFRA bonding leave are separate, so PDL runs first and CFRA bonding runs after.

You need at least $300 in wages with SDI withheld ("CASDI" on your paystub) in your base period, about 5 to 18 months before your claim. You must be employed or actively looking for work when the leave starts, and you must lose wages. For DI you must be unable to do your regular work for at least 8 days and be certified by a licensed health professional; a licensed midwife or nurse-midwife can certify normal pregnancy and postpartum. There is no minimum hours or job-tenure test. Citizenship and immigration status don't affect eligibility. Self-employed people can buy Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC). Some public employees are not covered.

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for a birth and to care for the newborn, or for their own serious health condition, including pregnancy complications and recovery from childbirth. Health coverage continues during leave, and you return to the same or an equivalent job.