Understanding Your California Maternity and Family Leave Benefits

Understanding Your California Maternity and Family Leave Benefits

by Sarah Tunney, LM, CPM

Becoming a parent is a beautiful, life-changing experience—and it also comes with real-world logistics. California has some of the best programs in the country to support you financially during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, but the process can feel confusing at first.

This guide breaks it all down so you can plan ahead, protect your income, and understand how your Licensed Midwife helps along the way.

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1. Programs That Provide Income

Disability Insurance (DI)

California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) program pays part of your wages when you can’t work due to pregnancy or postpartum recovery.

• You can typically receive up to 4 weeks before your due date and 6 weeks after a vaginal birth or 8 weeks after a cesarean birth.

• If you have medical complications, your recovery period may be extended.

• Apply online through the EDD Disability Insurance portal.

Paid Family Leave (PFL)

After you’ve recovered, Paid Family Leave provides up to 8 weeks of partial wage replacement for bonding with your baby.

• You apply for PFL after your DI claim ends.

• PFL doesn’t require medical certification—it’s for bonding time.

• Apply through EDD Paid Family Leave.

How Much You’ll Receive

For 2025 claims, most people receive 70–90% of their regular income, up to a maximum of $1,681 per week.

You can check your estimated benefits with the EDD calculator.

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2. Laws That Protect Your Job

• Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) gives you job protection for the time you’re medically disabled due to pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery.

• California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for bonding with your baby after your PDL ends.

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is the federal version of job protection that may apply if your employer meets certain size and eligibility requirements.

These laws ensure your position—or a comparable one—is available when you return.

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3. Who Qualifies

You’re likely eligible for DI and PFL if you’ve paid into CASDI (you’ll see this listed on your paycheck) within the last 18 months.

Self-employed individuals can enroll in the Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) program ahead of time.

People not covered usually include:

• Federal employees

• Some public employees with alternative benefits

• Self-employed individuals who haven’t enrolled in DIEC

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4. Important Deadlines

Program: Disability Insurance (DI)

When to Apply: File no earlier than 9 days and no later than 49 days after you stop working due to pregnancy or birth.

Key Details: You’ll need to complete your part online first, then send your Licensed Midwife the receipt number for medical certification.

Program: Paid Family Leave (PFL)

When to Apply: File within 41 days of your first day of bonding leave.

Key Details: If you had DI for pregnancy, EDD will automatically provide the link for your bonding claim.

Missing these filing windows can result in denial of benefits, so it’s worth setting reminders early.

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5. What Your Midwife Can Do

Here’s how I help my clients navigate the process:

I can:

• Complete the medical certification for your Disability Insurance claim, confirming your pregnancy and recovery period.

• Provide documentation for complications or extended recovery when necessary.

• Offer guidance on timing your application so you don’t miss your filing window.

I cannot:

• File your claim for you—you must complete your portion first.

• Contact EDD about your claim unless you authorize me in writing.

• Certify Paid Family Leave (no medical form is required for bonding).

What I need from you:

• Your SDI Online receipt number (you’ll get this after submitting your part of the claim).

• Your full name and date of birth (exactly as entered on the EDD site).

• Your due date or actual delivery date.

• Any documentation if you’re requesting an extension for complications or prolonged recovery.

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6. Typical Timeline

Stage: Late pregnancy

Approximate Duration: (up to 4 weeks before due date)

Program: Disability Insurance (pregnancy)

Stage: Birth & postpartum recovery

Approximate Duration: (6–8 weeks typical)

Program: Disability Insurance (postpartum)

Stage: Bonding time

Approximate Duration: (up to 8 weeks)

Paid Family Leave

Job protection for bonding CFRA / FMLA

Here’s an EDD visual timeline you can view or print.

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7. Step-by-Step Checklist

Before Birth

1. Notify your employer at least 30 days before your anticipated leave.

2. Create a myEDD account and open your SDI Online claim.

3. Submit your part of the Disability Insurance form.

4. Send your receipt number to your midwife for certification.

After Birth

1. When your DI ends, file your Paid Family Leave claim within 41 days.

2. Upload proof of your relationship to your baby (birth certificate or hospital record).

3. Confirm with your employer that your CFRA/FMLA bonding leave is in place.

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8. Quick Links

• How to File a Disability Insurance Claim

• How to File a Paid Family Leave Claim

• Pregnancy Disability Leave (California Civil Rights Department)

• California Family Rights Act (CFRA)

• FMLA Overview (U.S. Department of Labor)

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9. Final Thoughts

Your maternity leave and family bonding time are precious. These programs exist so that you can focus on healing and connecting with your baby without worrying about lost income. My role is to support you in both your clinical care and the practical steps that protect your wellbeing.

If you have questions about the paperwork, certification process, or timing, bring it up during a prenatal visit so we can plan together.

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