California small businesses eligible for paid family leave grants

 (Photo: Business Wire)

Eligible small businesses across California can now apply for grants of up to $2,000 per employee through California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. This initiative, funded by the California Employment Training Panel and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, aims to support small businesses in managing the additional costs incurred when employees take leave.

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Small businesses in California with 1-100 employees, where at least one employee utilizes California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program on or after June 1, 2024, are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2,000 per employee on PFL.

These grants help offset increased costs associated with an employee’s leave, such as training and upskilling existing staff, hiring and training new staff, and covering marketing and recruitment expenses.

California’s PFL program allows workers to take paid leave to bond with a new child or to care for a seriously ill family member. For more information and to apply, visit CaliforniaPFL.com.

These grants are designed to help small businesses cover expenses such as cross-training existing staff and hiring and training new or temporary employees. By alleviating these financial burdens, the program seeks to ensure that businesses can continue to operate smoothly while their employees take necessary time off.

California’s PFL program offers eligible employees up to eight weeks of wage replacement benefits for qualifying reasons, including bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member.

Small businesses with 1 to 100 employees that have at least one employee utilizing PFL on or after June 1, 2024, are encouraged to apply for these grants.

Also, to qualify for the grant, businesses must:

• Be registered to do business in the State of California
• Be in an active status with the California Secretary of State’s Office
• Have an active California Employer Account Number under which employees are listed for payroll

Small businesses using a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) for payroll services are not eligible for the grant.

Employers interested in applying for the grant can do so by visiting the official grant website at Californiapfl.com.