California
California Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)
California Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)
California provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons. Workers may be eligible for DI if they are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness, during pregnancy and/or childbirth. Workers may be eligible for PFL to care for a seriously ill family member, to bond with a new child, and for a qualifying military exigency.
Additionally, the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance requires employers to pay “supplemental compensation” for a covered employee’s full duration of leave when receiving the CA State Paid Family Leave to bond with a child.
Coverage Options: Employers can participate in the state-run program or self-insure the DI and PFL coverages with a voluntary plan. MetLife provides administrative services for employers who have state approved voluntary plans (i.e., Voluntary Disability Insurance (VDI) and Voluntary Paid Family Leave (VPFL)).
Job Protection: The CA PFL and DI plans do not provide job protection, only monetary benefits. However, job protection may be provided through other federal or state laws such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Benefits:
- PFL: 8 weeks in a 12-month period; up to $1,620/week
- DI: 52 weeks; up to $1,620/week. The maximum benefit amount is (weekly benefit x 52 weeks) $84,240.00.
Contributions: In 2024, the contribution rate is 1.1% of all employee wages.
Note: Effective January 1, 2024, Senate Bill 951 removes the taxable wage limit and withholdings for each employee subject to SDI contributions. Voluntary plan employers may choose to retain the wage ceiling limit.
As of January 4, 2024