Frequently Asked Questions

A plain-language PDF guide, matched to your answers, that walks you through the California parental-leave programs that apply to your situation. It explains SDI (State Disability Insurance), PFL (Paid Family Leave), CFRA (California Family Rights Act aka Job Protection) and FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act aka Job Protection at larger companies), PDL (Pregnancy Disability Leave.), and DIEC (Disability Insurance Elective Coverage.)in plain language. The guide shows you how the programs fit together, gives you a week-by-week timeline and a Key Dates worksheet, and flags the fine-print items most parents miss. Delivered as an instant PDF download right after checkout.

Roughly 5–15 pages depending on your situation. Long enough to actually be useful, short enough to read in one sitting. Designed to be skimmable: clear headings, bullet points where they belong, and detailed language where the nuance matters.

No. The information is technically public, California's EDD publishes everything. The problem is it's spread across a dozen state websites, written in bureaucratic language, and doesn't tell you which programs apply to you or how they stack. The guide does that work for you, in plain language, matched to your job and family situation.

Each guide covers one situation, and your answers select which one you receive. If your partner has a different role (birthing vs. non-birthing) or different employment situation (W-2 vs. 1099, full-time vs. part-time, etc.), they'll need their own guide for their path. The entitlements, math, and timing genuinely differ.

Come back and retake the questionnaire whenever your circumstances shift. New job, new role, going from full-time to part-time, transitioning between employment types. A new guide may better fit your new situation. Re-purchase is required for the new variant since each guide is its own deliverable.

Every guide states the California figures that applied when it was prepared, and the cover shows a "Current as of" date so you can see at a glance how recent it is. California revises its benefit rates each January, so check edd.ca.gov before relying on a specific figure.

SDI (State Disability Insurance) and PFL (Paid Family Leave) are the two California pay programs, they put money in your pocket while you're out. PDL (Pregnancy Disability Leave), CFRA (CA Family Rights Act) and FMLA (Federal Family and Medical Leave Act) are job-protection laws, they keep your job waiting for you, but they don't pay you. PDL is California-only and covers just the birthing parent, for the period you're medically disabled by pregnancy or childbirth, at employers with 5 or more employees. Unlike CFRA and FMLA, it doesn't require any minimum tenure or hours worked. You typically use these in combination: SDI/PFL for income, PDL/CFRA/FMLA for protection.

As of 2026, California pays 70–90% of your average weekly wage through SDI and PFL. The higher percentage applies to lower earners. Maximum weekly benefit is $1,765.

Birthing parents can typically combine PDL (Pregnancy Disability Leave for medical recovery), and PFL bonding leave to maximize their leave. These overlap and stack in specific ways and depending on your work situation, can have different levels of job protection (CFRA). Non-birthing parents have access to PFL bonding leave and, depending on work situation, job protections (CFRA). The exact length depends on your employer size, tenure, hours, and a handful of other factors. All of this is articulated clearly in the guides.

No, but the path looks different. You access California's pay programs through DIEC (Disability Insurance Elective Coverage). You have to enroll before you need it (minimum 6 months ahead) and pay quarterly premiums. The 1099 guide walks through enrollment timing, costs, and what the program provides once you're in.

HR teams often confuse employer-paid leave (a private benefit your company offers) with state leave programs (which run separately from your employer). They sometimes also push private disability plans that replace SDI rather than stacking with it. The guide helps you understand the differences between these options so you can make the most informed decision for yourself.

$39.99 USD, one-time, for the guide matched to your answers.

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If something's wrong with your guide, wrong scenario delivered, file won't open, content error, email us at support@wolffpackco.com and we'll fix it or refund you. If we confirm a content error, we'll correct the guide and refund your purchase. Because the guide is delivered instantly as a digital download, we generally don't refund "I changed my mind" purchases after download, but if your situation is unusual, ask. See the full refund policy for details.

Yes. At checkout, after you purchase the first guide, you'll see a discount code for the second partner guide. Just retake the questionnaire with your partner's employment situation and apply the code at checkout.

Just the answers needed to match you to the right guide: parent role (birthing/non-birthing), employment type (W-2/1099/between jobs), tenure, hours, and whether your employer offers paid leave. We don't ask for your name, employer, salary, or any other identifying detail at the questionnaire step. Your answers are stored only in your browser session, they're cleared when you close the tab.

Shopify collects your email and billing address for purchase. We use your email to send you the guide and to respond if you contact support. We never sell your data, and we don't add you to a marketing list without your explicit opt-in.

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages people visit and where the questionnaire could be smoother. We don't send Google your name, your email, or your questionnaire answers. See the privacy policy for the full list.

No. The guide is educational only. It explains the programs that exist and how they typically apply, but it isn't a substitute for an employment attorney for your specific case. If your situation is contentious or unusual (active disputes with HR, unusual employer structures, etc.), consult a CA employment attorney.

Email support@wolffpackco.com. We respond within 48 hours, usually faster. There's also the contact page with a form.

No. We can clarify what's in your guide and point you toward the right section if you're confused, that's all part of the support included. For questions specific to your case (especially if there's an active dispute), you'll want a CA employment attorney. We don't refer clients to attorneys, but the State Bar of California maintains a directory of certified lawyer referral services at calbar.ca.gov.

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