Taking Paid Leave if You Are Not a US Citizen

The following is for informational purposes only. Do not rely on this information without consulting the Employment Development Department (EDD), which administers California’s paid family leave program.


Immigrant workers who participate in the State Disability Insurance Program may be eligible to receive up to six weeks of partial pay a year while taking time from work to bond with a new baby, adopted or foster child or to care for a seriously ill parent, child or domestic partner.


1. I am not a US citizen. Can I still apply for paid family leave?

You are eligible to take paid family leave if you pay into the State Disability Insurance (SDI)
program. You do not have to be a US Citizen.


2. I don’t speak English. How do I find out about Paid Family Leave?
The Employment Development Department (EDD) will make every effort to communicate with you in your own language. Brochures are available in Spanish and on line in Chinese, Cambodian, Korean, Laotian, Thai, and Vietnamese.


3. My Employer says he can’t hold my job for me if I take paid family leave. What can I do?
There are several laws that protect workers from discrimination in retaliation for exercising their rights. Consult with an attorney or legal advocate to learn more about the laws and your rights. You may also contact one of the following organizations:

Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center: 1-800-880-8047
Equal Rights Advocates: 1-800-839-4372
Asian Law Caucus: 1-415-896-1701

If you have questions about paid family leave and speak Spanish, you may also contact:

Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center: 1-800-880-8047
Equal Rights Advocates: 1-800-839-4372

If you have questions about paid family leave and speak Chinese or Vietnamese, you may also contact:

Asian Law Caucus: 415-896-1701
Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center: 415-593-0066 (Chinese only)