California EDD Maternity Leave Benefit Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your potential weekly and total benefits for maternity leave through California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs.
Understanding California EDD Maternity Leave Benefits
California offers robust support for new mothers through its Employment Development Department (EDD) programs: State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). These programs provide partial wage replacement when you need to take time off work due to pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with a new child.
State Disability Insurance (SDI) for Pregnancy
SDI provides benefits to eligible workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. For pregnancy, SDI typically covers:
- Up to 4 weeks before your expected due date: This period is for disability related to pregnancy.
- 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery or 8 weeks after a C-section: This period is for recovery from childbirth.
To be eligible, you must have paid into SDI (deductions on your paystub), be unable to do your regular work, be under the care of a licensed physician/practitioner, and meet minimum earnings requirements in your "base period."
Paid Family Leave (PFL) for Bonding
PFL provides benefits to eligible workers who need to take time off work to bond with a new child (including birth, adoption, or foster care placement). You can receive up to 8 weeks of PFL benefits within the first year of the child's arrival. PFL is often taken immediately after SDI benefits for childbirth conclude.
How Your Benefits Are Calculated
Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) for both SDI and PFL is generally calculated based on your earnings during a "base period." The base period is a 12-month period that falls approximately 5 to 18 months before your claim begins. The EDD looks at your highest-earning calendar quarter within this base period.
- Average Weekly Wage: Your highest quarterly earnings are divided by 13 (weeks in a quarter) to determine your average weekly wage for that period.
- Benefit Percentage: Your WBA is typically 60% to 70% of your average weekly wage. The 70% rate applies to lower-income earners, while 60% applies to most others.
- Maximum Weekly Benefit: There is a maximum weekly benefit amount set by the EDD, which changes periodically. For 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,620. If your calculated benefit exceeds this amount, you will receive the maximum.
The calculator above uses a 60% rate for estimation and applies the current maximum weekly benefit.
Important Considerations
- Waiting Period: There is a 7-day waiting period for SDI benefits, meaning you won't be paid for the first week you are out of work. PFL does not have a waiting period.
- Taxes: SDI and PFL benefits are generally considered taxable income by the federal government, but not by the state of California.
- Employer Policies: EDD benefits do not provide job protection. Your job protection rights come from other laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
- Application Process: You must file a claim with the EDD. For SDI, your doctor will need to submit a medical certification.
This calculator provides an estimate. For precise figures and eligibility, always refer to the official EDD website or contact them directly.