CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced, January 2, that California has increased paid family leave and disability benefits.
Workers earning less than $63,000 per year are now able to receive up to 90% of their regular wages while on leave.
In addition, workers earning above that threshold will receive 70% of their wages. The benefit enhancement begins with new claims filed on or after January 1, 2025.
“Parents shouldn’t have to choose between caring for their newborn or rushing back to work to make rent,” said Newsom on X formerly known as Twitter.
Only 27% of workers in the U.S. have access to paid family leave through work
Paid family and medical leave refers to policies that allow workers to receive wage replacement when they take extended time off from work for qualifying reasons – bonding with a new child, recovering from their own serious health condition or caring for a loved one with a serious health condition.
According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, only 27% of civilian workers in the United States have access to paid family leave through their employer.