How to File a California Paid Family Leave Claim

Before you start the application

Gather the information EDD asks for before opening the claim so you can review the completed application accurately.

• Your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and identity-verification information.
• Your most recent employer’s name, phone number, and mailing address as shown on a W-2 or paystub.
• The last day you performed your usual work, your family-leave dates, and any wages or paid leave you expect to receive.
• Your claim type: bonding, care, or military assist.
• The payment option you want EDD to use: direct deposit, debit card, or mailed check.

If you do not have a valid photo ID or Social Security number, recently changed your name, or cannot resolve an online filing error, EDD says you may need to use a paper application.

Your claim start date affects the base period and potential benefit rate. EDD says the start date and base period cannot be changed after a valid claim is established, so contact EDD before filing if you need an official answer about the date to use.

The SDI Online filing path

1. Create or sign in to your myEDD account, then register for or open SDI Online.
2. Select Apply for Benefits, then choose PFL Bonding, PFL Care, or PFL Military Assist.
3. Complete the application, choose a payment option, and review every answer before submitting.
4. Save the receipt number from the confirmation page. A care claimant may need to give that number to the care recipient’s licensed health professional.
5. Submit every additional document required for the claim type. EDD will not process an incomplete application.

If online identity verification or an account error prevents filing, follow EDD’s paper-claim instructions or contact EDD about the correct next step. Do not submit the same claim more than once because EDD warns that duplicates can delay processing.

Documents depend on the claim type

Review the California PFL eligibility requirements before filing, or follow the separate pregnancy DI-to-PFL bonding steps if EDD is ending your pregnancy-related disability claim.

After you submit

Keep the receipt number and copies of anything you send. EDD may contact you, your employer, the care recipient, or a licensed health professional when it needs more information. EDD notifies the employer that a PFL claim was filed but states that the care recipient’s medical information remains confidential.

Use SDI Online to review available claim information. If EDD asks for something you do not understand, gather the notice and identifiers in the PFL call-preparation checklist before contacting the department.

ConnectEDD cannot file a PFL claim, choose a claim start date, submit documents, or access an EDD account. Only EDD can determine eligibility and issue benefits.