California Paid Family Leave (PFL) program began paying employee leave benefits on July 1st. How do employees apply for PFL benefits? Employees apply for benefits with the Employment Development Department (EDD), which is responsible for PFL claims and benefits payments. You or the employee may order claim forms from EDD's website at http://www.edd.cahwnet.gov/fleclmpfltx.htm. What information should I give to employees about PFL and when? The law requires you to display the EDD posting, DE 1857a, which provides information on PFL benefits. In addition, the law also requires you to provide all new employees with a PFL pamphlet, DE 2511 Both the posting and the pamphlet are available from the CA Chamber of Commerce in its Required Notices Kit & from EDD. What is the difference between requiring one week or two weeks of vacation prior to receiving PFL benefits? Employees will have to serve the 7-day waiting period before PFL benefits will be paid. If, by policy, you require the use of one week of vacation, that week will count as the waiting period. The employee would begin receiving PFL benefits on the 8th day of absence, assuming an eligible claim. If you require the use of two weeks of vacation, the first week counts as the 7-day waiting period, and the employee would not be eligible to receive PFL benefits during the first two weeks of absences. The eligible employee would receive PFL benefits beginning on 15th day of absence. Regardless of any policy you may have requiring the use of paid vacation; an employee is entitled by law to receive a maximum of 6 weeks of PFL benefits in a 12-month period. What Should You Do? • Check your employee posters to be sure you are displaying the 2004 versions that include information about PFL. • Provide PFL pamphlets to all new employees and those who request leaves of absence to care for family members after July 1, 2004. • Update your vacation policy and employee handbooks on coordination of vacation pay and PFL benefits. • Obtain PFL application forms from EDD. To back-page, Use your browser BACK button