Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance Know Your Rights for Immigrant and Undocumented Workers
What is Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI)?
Regardless of immigration status, eligible California workers can apply to the Employment Development Department (EDD) for Paid Family Leave (PFL) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefits. These benefits provide partial pay when a worker takes time off from work for their own disability, to bond with a new child, or to care for a family member.
PFL + SDI Benefits Are Available Regardless of Immigration Status
Employment Development Department (EDD): Benefits and Resources for Undocumented Workers - Official page with full application details for undocumented workers.
Citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility for PFL and SDI benefits.
If you are an undocumented worker in California, you can still apply for PFL and SDI.
You do not need your own Social Security Number (SSN) to apply for PFL and SDI.
Your personal information will be kept confidential.
*Note: Please see below for more information about public charge benefits.
How Much Money Can I Expect to Receive from PFL and SDI in 2026?
If you qualify for California Paid Family Leave (PFL) or State Disability Insurance (SDI), here's what you can expect:
Eligible workers who earn less than $65,000 a year receive 90% of your regular pay.
Eligible workers who earn more than $65,000 a year receive 70% of your pay, up to a cap.
*Note: The $65,000 threshold shifts slightly each year since it's tied to the state's average wage.
California Work and Family Coalition: Resource Hub - More details on PFL and SDI eligibility and benefits.
How to Apply for PFL/SDI as an Undocumented Worker
Request the paper application (not the online form) - a Social Security Number (SSN) is required to apply online. To apply without a SSN, you must use the paper application.
Follow step-by-step instructions from Legal Aid at Work’s Undocumented Workers Guide, or visit EDD’s official page for undocumented workers.
Choose “payment by check” - direct deposit via debit card requires an SSN.
Important Payment Information: If you apply for PFL or SDI without your own SSN, you must choose to receive payments by check. Direct deposit via a Money Network debit card requires a SSN.
Language Resources
Employment Development Department (EDD): Language Resources
Available in many languages; EDD also offers translation and interpretation services.
Dar a Luz: Mixteco Explainer Videos
Short PFL and SDI explainer videos in Spanish and multiple Mixteco variants
Legal Support
WorkLife Law Legal assistance with PFL and SDI claims.
Email: helpline@worklifelaw.org | Phone: 415-703-8276
Other Resources
Workers’ Rights
As a worker in California, you are entitled to know and exercise your workplace and constitutional rights. Labor laws, including but not limited to standards for wages, hours, and health and safety, apply to all workers in the state regardless of immigration status.
CA Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): KYR in the California Workplace
Family Caregiver Rights
Most California employees are eligible to take leave to provide care for a loved one who has a serious health condition under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). If eligible, the law would give you a right to take up to 12 weeks of leave each year and return to your job.
Worklife Law: Rights At Work For Family Caregivers In California
Data Sharing with Immigration Enforcement
Things that immigrant families should know about data privacy and public programs, to make informed decisions about their participation in those programs.
Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF): Data Privacy and Public Programs Toolkit
Public Charge
"Public charge" is a longstanding immigration law concept. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government can deny a green card, visa, or entry to someone if it decides they're likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support in the future. It's one of many "grounds of inadmissibility" that immigration officers weigh.
It generally only applies to people applying for a green card (adjustment of status) or certain visas.
Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition (PIF): Public Charge Regulation Toolkit
Changes to Medi-Cal
The Medi-Cal Changes Calendar has been updated to reflect final decisions in California’s 2026–27 state budget, including new deadlines and delayed benefit cuts affecting immigrant communities.
Latino Coalition for a Health CA (LCHC): Medi-Cal Information & Resource Hub
Immigrant Rights
Know-Your-Rights resources available in multiple languages including Indigenous languages. This resource list is an ongoing collaboration between members of California Work & Family Coalition California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) and Immigrants Rising.
CA Work & Family Coalition: Community Immigration Resources
