Undocumented Workers’ Guide to Applying for California Disability Insurance & Paid Family Leave

Sep 15, 2026

Step-by-step guidance for undocumented workers applying to California’s Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits through the Employment Development Department (EDD). Covers eligibility reasons, whether an SSN is required, how to check whether DI contributions were made (e.g., “CASDI” on paystubs), and how taxes may apply. Explains a paper-application approach, completion and submission steps, follow-up with EDD requests, and receiving benefit payments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

About Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave

For what reasons can I receive DI and PFL benefits?

Do I have to provide a Social Security number to apply?

How do I know if I paid into the DI Fund?

Does my employer pay for DI and PFL?

Do I have to pay taxes if I receive DI or PFL benefits?

STEP ONE: Request a Paper Application

When do I apply?

How do I apply?

Why should undocumented workers use a paper application?

What forms will I need?

How do I get a paper application?

STEP TWO: Complete & Submit the Application and Attach Proof of Wages

What information will I need to provide?

Where am I asked to enter my SSN?

What do I do when I am asked to enter my SSN?

What do I do when I am asked about other SSNs I may have used?

What do I do when I am asked if I have worked under another name?

How do I submit the application?

STEP THREE: Provide the EDD with Additional Information

Will the EDD contact me after I submit my application?

What happens if I miss the call from the EDD?

What do I do if I receive a Notice of Computation?

STEP FOUR: Receive Your Benefits

How long do I have to wait to receive my benefits?

How will I receive the payment?

Make Sure Your Job is Protected

Template Letters for Undocumented Workers Applying for DI and PFL

| | Undocumented Workers’Guide to Applying for California Disability Insurance & Paid Family Leave | | --- | --- | | This guide provides step-by-step instructions for undocumented workers to apply for California Disability
Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits. Eligible workers can apply to the Employment Development Department (EDD) for DI and PFL benefts, which provide partial pay when a worker takes time off work for their own disability or to care for a family member. These benefts are available regardless of immigration status.
Because the DI and PFL applications ask for a Social Security number (SSN), this guide provides recommended steps that undocumented workers can follow to apply for benefts without swearing that they have a SSN.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. About Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave . ................... . . . . . . . . . 2
a. For what reasons can I receive DI and PFL benefts?
b. Do I have to provide a Social Security number to apply?
c. How do I know if I paid into the DI Fund?
d. Does my employer pay for DI and PFL?
e. Do I have to pay taxes if I receive DI or PFL benefts?
II.STEP ONE: Request a Paper Application ............................................ 3
a. When do I apply?
b. How do I apply?
c. Why should undocumented workers use a paper application?
d. What forms will I need?
e. How do I get a paper application?
III. STEP TWO: Complete & Submit the Application
and Attach Proof of Wages ............................................. 4
a. What information will I need to provide?
b. Where am I asked to enter my SSN?
c. What do I do when I am asked to enter my SSN?
d. What do I do when I am asked about other SSNs I may have used?
e. What do I do when I am asked if I have worked under another name?
f. Does anyone else need to fll out and sign the claim form?
g. How do I submit the application?
IV.STEP THREE: Provide the EDD with Additional Information . ............. . 5
a. Will the EDD contact me after I submit my application?
b. What happens if I miss the call from the EDD?
c. Will I receive any other notices from the EDD?
d. What do I do if I receive a Notice of Computation?
V.STEP FOUR: Receive Your Benefits ..................................................... 7
a. How long do I have to wait to receive my benefts?
b. How will I receive the payment?
VI. Make Sure Your Job is Protected .................................................... 7
VII. Template Letters for Undocumented Workers Applying for DI and PFL .................................................................... 8 | | About Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefts to eligible workers who need time off work. If you have paid into the California DI Fund, you may be eligible to receive short-term DI and PFL benefts. DI and PFL benefts are available regardless of immigration status. For what reasons can I receive DI and PFL benefits? | How long canI get this benefit? | | --- | | For what reasons? | 8 weeks within a 12-month period - To care for a seriously ill family member - To bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child - To address qualifying needs arising from a family member’s military deployment toa foreign country PFL You can apply for DI and PFL benefts through the Employment Development Department (EDD) . Do I have to provide a Social Security number to apply? The DI and PFL applications currently ask for a worker’s SSN so that the EDD can identify your wages and determine your weekly beneft amount. They also require you to sign and swear that everything included in the application is true. This guide provides steps that undocumented workers can follow to apply for benefts without swearing that they have a SSN. • How doI know if I

FAQs

Can undocumented workers receive DI and PFL benefits regardless of immigration status?

Yes. The guide states that DI and PFL benefits are available regardless of immigration status, and are offered through the Employment Development Department (EDD).

Do I have to provide a Social Security number (SSN) to apply for DI and PFL?

The DI and PFL applications ask for an SSN for EDD to identify wages and calculate weekly benefits, and they also require signing and swearing the information is true. The guide provides steps for undocumented workers to apply without swearing they have an SSN, including using a paper application where the SSN question can be left blank.

When should I apply for DI or PFL benefits and how do I submit a paper application?

Apply within 49 days for DI or 41 days for PFL from the first day off work for the qualifying reason. You must submit an application, and the guide explains two options: applying online or submitting a paper application; it recommends paper for undocumented workers due to the SSN question.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Lucas Vance