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5 Things Californians Should Know About Paid Family Leave

AARP

Updated July 21, 2026

En español

Updated July 21, 2026

AARP strongly supports the Paid Family Leave program because family caregivers who work shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and making a living.

Here are five things you should know about California’s Paid Family Leave program:

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1) What is Paid Family Leave?

Under state law, working Californians can take up to eight weeks off to care for a seriously ill loved one while still receiving a portion of their wages. Low to middle income workers (meaning workers making $65,000 or less in 2026) receive 90% of their regular wages. Higher income workers receive 70% of their regular wages.

2) How long has this program been around?

Californians have been able to take Paid Family Leave since 2004. The benefit has since been expanded so that employees can now take Paid Family Leave to care for a variety of family members, including parents-in-law, grandchildren, siblings, and grandparents.

3) Am I eligible?

You are eligible to take standard Paid Family Leave if:

You are a caregiver for a seriously ill family member. Qualifying family members include a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner;
You may qualify for Paid Family Leave Military Assist benefits if you need leave to deal with a qualifying event because of the military deployment of your spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, or child to a foreign country;
You have paid into State Disability Insurance (noted as “CASDI” on paystubs) in the past five to 18 months;
You have not taken the maximum eight weeks of Paid Family Leave in the past 12 months;
Beginning in 2025, your employer can no longer require that you use your vacation pay before you access Paid Family Leave.

4) For whom can I care while taking Paid Family Leave?

Paid Family Leave is available for those who are:

Caring for a close relative with a serious health condition, including a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner;
“Bonding” with a child within the first year of their life or placement in the home of adoptive or foster parents: Maternity or paternity leave, whether you are a birth, adoptive, or a foster parent;
Qualifying military exigency leave: If one is the spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent of an individual serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who is deployed or called to active duty.

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Most private-sector employees in California will be eligible for Paid Family Leave. If you are a public employee, your employer may opt into the program or Paid Family Leave may be part of your collective bargaining agreement. Check your paystub for “CASDI” deductions to see if you are eligible.

Paid Family Leave is a wage-replacement program only. It does not guarantee that your job will be protected when you take leave. However, Californians working for a company with five or more employees may qualify for job-protected leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). If you qualify for CFRA, your job would be protected while you receive wage replacement benefits through Paid Family Leave.

In addition, if you are an employee caring for a "designated person” meaning a family member or someone with whom you have a family-like relationship who is not listed as a family member (above), you can take *unpaid* but job-protected leave to care for that individual. Starting in 2028, you will be able to take Paid Family Leave to care for a seriously ill designated person.

For more information, you should contact your employer’s human resources department, your union or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

5) Where can I get more information about Paid Family Leave and caregiving?

The State of California provides information about the Paid Family Leave program, click here.

The state’s Paid Family Leave toll-free helpline is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling 1-877-238-4373.

Prepare to Care: A Resource Guide for Families was developed by AARP to help make caregiving more manageable. It includes information on how to have difficult but vital conversations with older family members, organize important documents, assess your loved one’s needs, and locate important resources.

6) Want to apply for Paid Family Leave?

Always begin by talking to your HR department or your union;
Apply online, click here or to order a paper application, click here;
If you have questions about the Paid Sick Leave program or need assistance, you may reach out to the Center for Worklife Law at 1-415-703-8276.

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