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California’s Paid Family Program-Available to Construction Workers

Most construction workers are not used to getting paid time off, but this California program may provide income for taking leave when it’s most needed…

Eligibility Requirements:

You must be either working or looking for work when the need for family care started and must experience some loss in pay during the leave. A medical professional will fill out a simple form proving that the worker qualifies for benefits. There is a one-week waiting period before being eligible to begin receiving benefits, but workers should apply as soon as they start taking time off from work. Workers employed out of hiring halls who are considering taking leaves should check with their union representative regarding how it will affect their place on the out-of-work list.

While some programs are only open to people who work for large employers,under the Paid Family Leave law, employees pay into the insurance system regardless of the size of their employer.

            The PFL definition of family member is broad. It includes:

Parent (adoptive, foster, legal guardian and stepparents), child (adopted, foster, stepchildren and children of registered domestic partners), and persons for whom the employee stands in the place of a parent, spouse or registered domestic partner. It also includes brothers, sisters, grandchildren, grandparents,        mothers-and fathers-in-law.

            Fast Facts:

• PFL provides eligible workers with partial wage replacement when taking time off work to care for a child, parent, parent in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner.

• PFL provides benefits but does not provide job protection or return rights. (Job protection may be provided if your employer is subject to the Federal Family Leave Medical Act (FMLA) and the California Family Leave Rights Act (CFRA). Be sure to notify your employer of the reason for your leave and talk with your union before applying for PFL to make sure that you can maintain your spot on the out-of-work list.

• PFL covers employees who are covered by SDI.

• PFL offers up to six weeks of benefits in a 12-month period.

• PFL provides benefits of approximately 55 percent of lost wages.

• PFL benefits are considered taxable income.

For questions about PFL benefits, please visit www.edd.ca.gov/disability or call (877) 238-4373