Paid time off to bond with a new child for every parent

This is general information, not legal advice. Do Not Lose Hope is not a law office or a benefits office. Free help is listed below.

This page is about bonding time for every parent. If you are the one who is pregnant or gave birth, start with Pregnant and working: your leave and pay in California. For time off after a failed adoption or pregnancy loss, see Time off after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

Who can get paid time to bond?

California's Paid Family Leave (PFL) pays part of your wages while you bond with a new child. The EDD says bonding claims can be filed by fathers, foster or adoptive parents, and mothers, including mothers who did not file a pregnancy disability claim. In a June 2026 update, the EDD said fathers, partners, adoptive parents and foster parents may qualify, and that fathers made up 51 percent of bonding applicants in 2025.

You also do not need to be a biological or legal parent in every case. The EDD says PFL covers people standing in loco parentis, meaning people with day to day responsibility to care for and financially support a child.

To qualify, you generally must:

• Have earned at least $300 with SDI taken out of your pay in the last 18 months (it shows as "CASDI" on most pay stubs).
• Be working or looking for work when your leave starts.
• Lose wages because you are taking time to bond.
• Not have used the full 8 weeks of PFL in the past 12 months.

The EDD says citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility.

How much does it pay, and for how long?

• Up to 8 weeks in a 12 month period. For care and bonding combined, the total is 8 weeks in any 12 months.
• Within the first year. California law covers bonding within the first year of the child's birth, or of placement for foster care or adoption.
• All at once or a little at a time. The EDD says benefits can be used all at once or spread over 12 months.
• Weekly amount: between $50 and $1,765 in 2026. The EDD estimates it at about 70 to 90 percent of your wages, with lower earners closer to 90 percent. Some older papers still say 60 to 70 percent; that is out of date.
• No waiting period. PFL pays from the first day of leave.
• Your employer cannot make you use vacation or sick time first. Since January 1, 2025, the EDD says an employer can't require you to use sick leave or other paid time off before you get PFL.

San Francisco workers. The EDD notes that San Francisco employers may have to add extra pay for workers on bonding leave, under the city's Paid Parental Leave Ordinance. Ask your employer or the city's labor standards office.

Can dads and partners get paid leave?

Yes. A father or partner files their own PFL claim, with their own wages and their own proof of relationship to the child.

The EDD's rule is per person: you can claim if you have not already taken the full 8 weeks of PFL in the past 12 months (EDD). In the EDD's 2026 story, one father said his wife took PFL first and he took it after her. The EDD's pages do not say whether two parents can be paid for the same weeks, so ask the PFL line before you plan overlapping leave. Plan with your partner and your employers.

Same sex and LGBTQ+ parents. The law's definitions are broad. California's family leave law defines a "child" to include a biological, adopted or foster child, a stepchild, a legal ward, a child of a domestic partner, or a child of someone standing in loco parentis. If you are a non birth parent and do not yet have a birth certificate with your name or an adoption order, the EDD lists "other evidence of relationship" as acceptable. Call the PFL line to ask what that means for you.

What if we are adopting or fostering?

Adoptive and foster parents can bond too, within the first year after the child is placed with you.

Proof the EDD accepts includes a foster care agreement or agency letter, or an adoptive placement agreement (AD-907 or AD-924). The EDD has a separate online tutorial for foster and adoptive parents.

The child does not have to be a baby. The rule is about the first year after placement.

Will I have a job when I come back?

PFL pays you. It does not protect your job. Job protection comes from other laws.

California Family Rights Act (CFRA). CFRA gives up to 12 weeks of job protected leave for bonding with a new child by birth, adoption or foster care. You qualify if your employer has 5 or more employees, and you have worked there more than 12 months and at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. The Civil Rights Department says you will be reinstated to the same or a comparable job except in limited situations unrelated to your leave, and your employer must keep paying its share of group health benefits.

CFRA does not have a rule that two parents at the same employer must split one 12 week block.

Federal FMLA. If your employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles, FMLA may also apply. It usually runs at the same time as CFRA.

Give notice. The Civil Rights Department says to give your employer at least 30 days' notice if you can. For a sudden placement or early birth, give notice as soon as you can.

If you do not qualify for CFRA, for example because your employer is small or you are new, you can still get PFL pay. Ask your employer in writing whether it will hold your job.

How do I apply?

1. Pick your dates. Decide when your leave starts and whether you will take it all at once or in pieces.
2. Tell your employer in writing, and ask for CFRA leave if you qualify.
3. Gather proof of relationship. Birth certificate, hospital birth record, Declaration of Paternity, or foster or adoption papers.
4. File your claim. Online through myEDD if you have an SSN. Without an SSN, request a paper form. The EDD says answer every question and do not write "n/a".
5. File on time. File within 41 days of the day your leave begins, or you may lose benefits.
6. Watch your mail. Your employer will be asked to confirm your wages and dates.

Can I apply without papers?

Yes. The EDD says you can apply for Paid Family Leave without a Social Security number. You cannot apply online without one, so ask for a paper form. EDD also says applying will not affect your path to citizenship.

For step by step help with the paper form, the letter to attach and proof of wages, see How to get disability or Paid Family Leave pay without papers.

Questions people ask

Can I take a few days a week instead of all at once? Yes. PFL can be used in pieces over 12 months. Talk to your employer about a schedule.

We are not married. Can I still claim? Yes, if you are the child's parent or stand in loco parentis. Bring proof of your relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate with your name or a Declaration of Paternity.

I am self employed. Can I get bonding pay? Only if you signed up for and paid into the EDD's elective coverage for the self employed. Ask the EDD.

Can I use paid sick days too? Sick days are for illness and health care. They can help if you or the baby is sick. See Paid sick days in California.

I am a contractor. Can I get PFL? If you were really an employee, you may qualify. See Paid as a contractor? How to apply for disability or family leave.

Is there a plan I can print?

Who can help

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; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; press 3 for a free interpreter. edd.ca.gov
• Legal Aid at Work, Work and Family Helpline (free): 800-880-8047; 415-593-0033 outside California. legalaidatwork.org
• California Civil Rights Department (CFRA job protection): 800-884-1684. calcivilrights.ca.gov
• Legal Aid at Work, Workers' Rights Clinic (free, income limits): East Palo Alto line (415) 404-9093. legalaidatwork.org

These first weeks will not come again. You have a right to be there for them.