California PFL benefit amounts
How Much Does California Paid Family Leave Pay in 2026?
Understand California PFL benefit amounts, base periods, the official EDD calculator, and what to check on your Notice of Computation.
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PFL replaces part of your wages, with a weekly limit
For claims starting in 2026, EDD lists California PFL benefits at about 70–90% of qualifying wages, with a maximum of $1,765 per week. Your income and claim start date affect the calculation. The maximum is a ceiling, not the amount every claimant receives.
Start with the official EDD benefit calculator. It provides an estimate; EDD confirms the actual amount after approving your claim.
Why your latest paycheck is not enough
EDD uses the highest-earning quarter in a 12-month base period, generally covering wages paid about 5–18 months before leave. That means a recent raise may not be reflected in the calculation.
For example, a claim starting in September 2026 uses April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 as its base period. Check EDD’s base-period table for your own start month. Ask EDD about start-date questions before filing: an established valid claim’s start date and base period cannot be changed.
Prepare a useful estimate
- Gather paystubs. EDD recommends having the last 18 months available. Put them in date order so you can match the months the calculator requests.
- Use gross income. The calculator asks for pretax monthly earnings. Follow its instructions for bonuses, commissions, and other wages rather than copying take-home pay.
- Record your inputs. Keep a private note of the claim start date, months entered, and estimated weekly amount. This gives you something specific to compare with the later notice.
- Separate the estimate from your budget. Label it “estimated weekly benefit,” and keep employer pay and expected EDD payments on separate lines. Do not treat the estimate as a payment date.
You do not need to enter wages or identity details on ConnectEDD to use this guide. Enter calculator information directly on EDD’s website.
Does a Notice of Computation mean approval?
No. The Notice of Computation (DE 429DF) shows a potential weekly amount; it does not establish eligibility. EDD asks you to report incorrect wages, dates, or missing employers promptly.
When reviewing it, make a short comparison: which employer or wage entry looks wrong, what your records show, and which document supports the correction. Keep the notice beside those records when contacting EDD.
An amount question and a missing-payment question need different information. If the amount looks right but money has not arrived, use the PFL payment-delay guide. If you are working during leave, review part-time PFL and wage reporting.
ConnectEDD cannot calculate your official benefit amount, correct wage records, or approve payments.
Help with repeated calling
Want ConnectEDD to handle the redialing?
ConnectEDD handles repeated calling and requests a California PFL callback to your authorized phone number when the option is available. Callback availability and timing can vary.
You may call EDD yourself for free. ConnectEDD is a paid convenience for the repeated-calling portion and does not represent you or access your claim.