California Paid Leave for Your Own Serious Health Condition
In California, there are laws that support workers when they need to recover from their own serious health condition. It is important to learn about wage replacement programs and job protection laws. If a worker is eligible and meets the requirements, they could take State Disability Insurance (SDI) and have the right to return to work after their leave.
If you are paying into California State Disability Insurance (CA SDI), you may be eligible to receive payments from the Employment Development Department (EDD) while on Disability Leave (DI). Disability Leave (DI) is a wage replacement program only.
The California Family Rights Act is a job protection law that protects workers when they need to take leave and have the right to return to work after their leave.
The resources below will help you understand the eligibility requirements, benefits, and how wage replacement and job protection could work together if eligible for both.
This short video will focus on California Paid Leave for Your Own Serious Health Condition and will help you understand the requirements of State Disability Insurance (SDI) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and how they work together.
If you need support and care while you are on State Disability Insurance, we recommend watching our California Paid Family Leave for Caregivers video, to see if your family member is eligible to care for you.
Know Your Rights: Paid Leave in California
A toolkit that describes paid leave and job protection laws in California. The toolkit outlines eligibility for each law and how the laws could work together if eligible.
Credit: Created in collaboration with ACLU of Southern California and ROC the Bay
State Disability Insurance (“SDI”): Your Legal Rights
A fact sheet covering what State Disability Insurance is, requirements, disability as defined by the program, and other relevant topics.
Credit: Legal Aid at Work
Disability/Caregiving + My Job
A two-page PDF that breaks down Disability Leave (DI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and Job Protection Laws and how they work together for eligible workers. Page 1 focuses on Disability + My Job, which covers paid leave, job protection, and accommodations for workers who are unable to do their regular work due to a disability.
Credit: Legal Aid at Work
About Disability Insurance
Disability Insurance overview from the Employment Development Department (EDD). You can see eligibility requirements, information about the program, and how to apply.
