California Paid Family Leave for working caregivers in Santa Clara County

A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.

UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.

What to know

Why it may fit: Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
What to do next: Get part of your pay while you are off work to care for a very sick family member. It lasts up to 8 weeks. You must have had State Disability Insurance (SDI) taken out of your pay. Family means a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or registered domestic partner. You file with the state Employment Development Department (EDD).
Who runs it: California Employment Development Department

What the program may consider

You have recent wages with State Disability Insurance deductions
You are caring for a seriously ill child, parent, spouse, partner, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or in-law
A doctor certifies the family member's serious health condition

How to get it

Get part of your pay while you are off work to care for a very sick family member. It lasts up to 8 weeks. You must have had State Disability Insurance (SDI) taken out of your pay. Family means a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or registered domestic partner. You file with the state Employment Development Department (EDD).

How to apply

Paid Family Leave claim to care for a family member

File Part A online in your own myEDD account, or on a paper form you order from EDD. Part C always goes by mail.

OnlineEDD SDI Online, in your own myEDD accountUse your own account. You may need to prove who you are with ID.me.
MailEDD Paid Family Leave claims by mail: EDD, P.O. Box 989315, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9315Or use the envelope that comes with the paper form.
PhoneEDD disability and Paid Family Leave line: 1-877-238-4373Order a paper claim form or ask questions.

Getting help

You start this yourself

You, the worker, file and sign your own claim. If you cannot act for yourself, a legal representative can call EDD to ask how to file. Your family member signs their part, Part C. If they cannot, someone with power of attorney or a court order can sign. A spouse or domestic partner who wants to sign for them must contact EDD first. Their doctor fills out Part D.

Only you, or someone with legal authority for you, can sign.

What happens after you apply

Order the paper form from EDD. It comes in about 10 days. Use paper if you have no California license or ID card, or no Social Security number. You must also use paper if you recently changed your name.
Only if you file on paper
YouA helper can help with this
File Part A online in your own myEDD account, or on the paper form. You must be working or looking for work when leave starts. EDD looks at your past pay. You need at least $300 of pay with SDI taken out.
YouOnly you can do this File no earlier than your first day of leave, and no later than 41 days after it starts.
EDD checks who you are. Online, this may be done with ID.me. Paper filers may get a letter asking for proof. This can slow payment.
The stateOnly you can do this
Your family member signs Part C. It must be mailed on paper, even if you filed online. You may fill in Part C for them if they cannot. If they sign with a mark, two witnesses must also sign.
YouA helper can help with this
Your family member's doctor fills out Part D. They can send it online with your claim receipt number, or on paper.
Your doctor or clinicianA helper can help with this It is due within 41 days after your leave starts. Making sure it arrives is your job.
EDD mails a notice showing your possible weekly amount. This is not an approval yet.
The state
EDD decides. It may contact your employer or the doctor. It tells your employer about the claim, but not medical details. If EDD says no, you have 30 days to appeal.
The stateAbout 2 weeks after EDD has your complete claim.
EDD sends your first payment. It goes on a prepaid debit card unless you chose another way.
The stateOnly you can do this

What only you can do

File and sign your own claim, online in your own myEDD account or on paper.
File within 41 days of your first day of leave, but not before it starts.
Have your family member sign Part C, and mail it.
Ask your family member's doctor to fill out Part D.
Prove who you are if EDD asks.
Report any wages or paid time off you get during your leave.

How long it takes: About 2 weeks after EDD has all parts of your claim. Part C comes by mail, so allow extra time.
You are enrolled when: You are enrolled when EDD approves your claim and sends your first payment.
To keep it: Pay lasts up to 8 weeks in any 12 months. Leave you used in the past 12 months counts. Report wages or paid time off. If others share the care, you are paid only for time you are the main caregiver. This program pays you but does not protect your job. Another state law may.

Coming changes

Starting July 1, 2028: Starting July 1, 2028, you can also take leave to care for a person you name. This can be a blood relative or someone who is like family to you.