WHAT is the Paid Family leave grant program?

California’s Paid Family Leave program allows California workers to take paid leave to bond with a new child (through birth, adoption, or foster care) or to care for a seriously ill family member. 

California Paid Family Leave (PFL) is part of the California State Disability Insurance program providing benefits to eligible California workers who need time off work to care for a seriously ill or injured family member, to bond with a new child, or to participate in a qualifying military event. PFL pays up to 8 weeks of benefits in a 12-month period. Although PFL does not provide job protection, there are various federal and state laws that provide protected leave for up to 12 weeks. 

Businesses impacted by California’s Paid Family Leave program will have increased costs such as training and upskilling existing staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; hiring and training additional staff to cover the duties of the the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; and marketing, recruitment, and other reasonably foreseeable training costs.  

Small businesses in California with 1-100 employees with at least one (1) employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program (on or after June 1, 2024) are eligible to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee on PFL to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave.

Paid Family Leave Grant Amounts:  

• Businesses with 51-100 employees may receive up to $1,000 per employee utilizing Paid Family Leave.   
• Businesses with 1-50 employees may receive up to $2,000 per employee utilizing Paid Family Leave.