Paid Family Leave to care for a sick family member, including a few days at a time

This page covers caring for a sick family member. It does not cover bonding with a new child. It is general information, not legal advice.

Can I get paid to care for a sick family member?

Yes. Paid Family Leave (PFL) pays part of your wages when you stop work to care for a seriously ill family member. You can get up to 8 weeks of pay in a 12 month period.

PFL pays you. It does not protect your job by itself. Other laws may. See Will my job be safe while I take family or medical leave?

Who counts as family?

EDD lists:

• Your child
• Your parent, or your spouse's or partner's parent (parent in law)
• Your spouse or registered domestic partner
• Your brother or sister
• Your grandparent
• Your grandchild

Parent and child do not have to be by blood or by law. EDD counts people who stand in the place of a parent, meaning someone who has day to day care of a child and helps support them.

Your family member can live outside California. You still have to qualify, and their doctor must hold a valid license.

A best friend, an aunt or another chosen family member is not on EDD's list for this pay today. Some job protection laws do include them.

This changes on July 1, 2028. A state law signed October 13, 2025 (SB 590, Chapter 772) adds a designated person: someone related to you by blood, or whose bond with you is like family. Starting July 1, 2028, you can get PFL to care for that person. The first time you claim for them, you will name them and swear to the relationship. The date and definition come from the bill digest; the official legislature site would not load for us on October 21, 2026. See Will my job be safe while I take family or medical leave?

What counts as a serious illness?

EDD calls it a serious health condition: an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that needs a hospital stay, keeps the person from working or doing daily activities, or needs ongoing treatment by a health care provider.

A cold, the flu or an earache usually does not count, unless there are complications.

Who can get PFL?

You may qualify if you:

• Have stopped work, or cut back, to care for your family member, and lost wages
• Were working or looking for work when your leave started
• Earned at least $300, with State Disability Insurance taken out of your pay, in the last 18 months

Part time workers can apply. Your immigration status does not matter. Without a Social Security number, you apply on paper. See How to get disability or Paid Family Leave pay without papers.

How much will I get?

Most people get about 70% to 90% of their weekly wages. People who earn less get the higher percentage. In 2026, the weekly amount is at least $50 and at most $1,765. To see how the amount is figured, read State Disability Insurance: who can get it and how long it pays, or use the EDD calculator.

There is no waiting period. EDD says Paid Family Leave pay begins on the first day of leave.

Your employer cannot make you use your vacation or sick days first. Since January 1, 2025, EDD says employers can't require you to use sick leave or other paid time off before you get PFL.

Can I take a few days at a time?

Yes. EDD calls this intermittent leave: you keep working, but miss days or hours here and there, like for chemotherapy, dialysis or doctor visits.

On a paper claim (DE 2501F):

1. On question A12, write the date you go back to work, or plan to.
2. On question A13, answer Yes: you did or will keep working during your family leave.
3. Attach a note that says which days you will work and how many hours you will work each day. Use the note below.

Online, in SDI Online:

1. Answer the extra questions in Section 3.
2. When asked if you want to claim the most weeks now, choose No.
3. Enter the date you want benefits paid through, or your return to work date.
4. Answer the questions about your work, wages and pay dates.

Already asked for 8 weeks in a row but want to switch? Contact EDD:

• Call 1-877-238-4373 (Spanish 1-877-379-3819)
• Write to Paid Family Leave Customer Service Center, PO Box 45011, Fresno, CA 93718-5011
• Or use AskEDD: choose Paid Family Leave, then Miscellaneous Inquiry, then Other

How you are paid: EDD compares what you earned before with what you earn now. If your lost wages are less than your weekly benefit amount, you get only the amount you lost. Report all your pay, or you may have to pay money back.

After you file: if you report part time work, EDD says it sends you form DE 2580GF, the Continued Claim Certification for Paid Family Leave Benefits. Fill it out to confirm the time you worked, online or by mail. If you do not send it back, your benefits stop. Report any work and wages, even pay you have not received yet.

Can two of us in the family share the care?

Yes. More than one family member can file to care for the same person. Your claims must cover different days. You cannot both be paid for the same time.

How do I apply?

1. Get the doctor's part. Your family member's doctor or practitioner must certify that they need care.
2. Get your family member's signature. The person you care for signs to authorize your care (Part C).
3. Gather your work details: your most recent employer's name, phone and address as on your W-2 or pay stub, and the last day you worked your normal hours.
4. File within 41 days after your leave starts. Online with SDI Online, or on paper with DE 2501F. Late? File anyway, with a letter explaining why.
5. Watch your mail. EDD says it tries to process payment within 14 days after it gets a complete claim.

The English paper form must be ordered from EDD. You can order online, at an SDI office, from your employer or your family member's doctor, or by calling 1-877-238-4373.

Can I get help in my language?

Yes. Call 1-877-238-4373, say or press 3, and tell the agent your language. Interpreters are free. EDD has a Spanish claim form, and guides to filling out the claim in other languages, such as Chinese (DE 2475). See Can I get help in my language?

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Waiting too long. File within 41 days.
• Forgetting your family member's signature.
• Not reporting days you worked. That can lead to an overpayment.
• Skipping the DE 2580GF. If EDD sends it, return it, or your pay stops.
• Overlapping with a sibling's claim. Plan who takes which days.
• Thinking PFL holds your job. Check your job protection first.

Who can help?

These are free public offices and nonprofit clinics. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• EDD Paid Family Leave: 1-877-238-4373, Spanish 1-877-379-3819, TTY 1-800-445-1312. Paid Family Leave (edd.ca.gov)
• Legal Aid at Work, Workers' Rights Clinic: free help for people within its income limits, or age 60 and over, in Spanish and many other languages. East Palo Alto line: (415) 404-9093. Workers' Rights Clinic

Caring for someone you love is hard work. If you feel worn down, see Caring for a family member with mental illness without losing yourself.

Common questions

My mom lives in Mexico. Can I get PFL to care for her? EDD says you can care for a family member outside California. Her doctor must certify that she needs care and hold a valid license, which EDD checks.

Can I get PFL for my aunt or my best friend? Not yet. Starting July 1, 2028, you can claim for a designated person who is like family. Until then, ask about job protected leave for them.

Do I have to be with them every day? No. You can claim only the days you need.

Does my employer approve PFL? No. EDD decides your claim. Tell your employer you are taking leave, and ask about job protection.

Is there a note I can use?

You do not have to choose between your paycheck and the people you love. Take the first step today.