When Baby Buck was still in the oven, I knew about maternity leave and nothing else. In speaking with other fathers, I learned that California has a benefit called Paid Family Leave. Both parents are eligible for financial assistance while taking time off from work to bond with their new little one. The only limitation is this benefit expires after the baby’s first year. Secondly, paperwork has to be submitted before 41 days of the time off. Don’t ask me why they picked 41.
If you go past this time, you can still submit your form with a written explanation. Similar to unemployment, the weekly benefit is based on your current salary. The basic questions you need to answer is child’s birth date, the start and end date of your time off, and what type of leave you are taking (vacation, unpaid, and other). You also don’t need to take all your time off in one lump sum. You can spread time off across the baby’s first year.
Final Thoughts
When you welcome your little one, your life completely changes. You are bombarded with countless items to think about. However, don’t forget about your paid family leave benefit or else you will be leaving hard earned money on the table.
For more information, visit Paid Family Leave – California today.
Stay Inspired!
Buck
As an ex-californian, I have to say that is an interesting fact! I wonder how many of my friends in CA knew about this!
How convenient when our benefits aren’t more well publicized. Hopefully this post helps out future CA parents. What state are you in now MC? You miss California?
As a concept, I think it is a great idea, but few take advantage of it. I think there is still a bias against men taking time off with their children. Hopefully, this will change.
I’m sure you are right KC! For me, a benefit is a benefit. Plus since we pay SDI, we are entitled to some help.
Interesting. I never knew this existed. I’ll bet lots of people don’t take advantage of it.
Hopefully we can spread the word and help future CA parents Joe!
Next question- does this law apply to adoptive parents? One of the things I’m noticing in WA (where we do not have this benefit) is that while leave is protected for all new parents, only women who give birth get actual paid benefits. All fathers and adoptive mothers must use their paid time off if they want to get any money while they are off work and bonding.
In some sense, I am lucky because my company provides two weeks fully paid bonding leave to all parents. However, for any time I want to take after that, while it is protected by FMLA and state laws, if I want to get any money (and as the sole earner, I kind of have to) I must use my PTO. I can’t even used the hours in my sick bank, even though I could use them if I gave birth. It’s really very frustrating.
Hopefully, the CA benefit applies to all parents, including mothers who don’t physically give birth.
Great question Erin and I feel your frustration! I turned around and asked Paid Family Leave CA. Hope to get an answer for you real soon!
I live in California and this is all new to me! Are there any other laws I should know about?
If I come across anymore, I’ll let you know!
That is great information! I think it is so important for parents to have time off with their children–both parents.
At first I thought bonding time wasn’t a productive use of time. But while bonding with Baby Buck, I now know that there is nothing more important!