~ Sacramento, California - In a groundbreaking move, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that California has increased paid family leave and disability benefits to historic levels in the state. This major benefit enhancement will begin with new claims filed on or after January 1, 2025.

Under the new policy, eligible workers earning less than $63,000 per year will now be able to receive up to 90% of their regular wages while on leave. Workers earning above that threshold will receive 70% of their wages. This increase is an important step towards making it more affordable for workers to take time off for pregnancy, childbirth, recovery from illness or injury, or to care for seriously ill family members.

Governor Newsom emphasized the significance of this change in a statement, saying "Expanded paid family leave benefits are about making it easier for Californians to care for themselves, bond with a new child, and care for their families without worrying about how they'll pay the bills." He also highlighted California's leadership in supporting workers and creating a more affordable state.

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First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom also expressed her support for the policy change, stating "Expanding paid family leave and disability benefits isn't just a policy, it's a reflection of who we are and what we value." She added that this change shows California's commitment to standing up for working mothers, parents, and caregivers.

The benefit increase was enacted under Senate Bill 951 (Durazo) and is expected to benefit millions of workers who have contributed to the program during their careers. Senator Maria Elena Durazo, author of SB 951, praised Governor Newsom for signing the bill into law and stated that it will ensure every California worker can afford to care for their family during life's most important moments.

Nancy Farias, Director of the Employment Development Department (EDD), also commented on the impact of this change. "This benefit boost makes it more affordable to take time off work and care for an ill family member, bond with a child, or recover from illness or injury," she said. "These investments strengthen California's workforce and improve the lives of millions of Californians."

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Some key details of the 2025 benefit increase include workers earning less than $63,000 annually receiving up to 90% of their regular pay, while higher-income workers will receive up to 70% of their regular pay. This increase only applies to new claims filed on or after January 1, 2025, with claims filed in 2024 continuing at the 2024 rates.

California's disability and paid family leave programs provide critical support to more than 18 million workers and their families, funded through payroll contributions. Eligible workers can receive up to 52 weeks of disability benefits and up to 8 weeks of paid family leave benefits.

In addition to this policy change, Governor Newsom also announced several appointments on December 31st, including Anthony Chavez as Chief Deputy Director at the Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement. As we enter into the new year, California residents can also look back at some key moments that defined the state in 2024 and learn about new laws taking effect in 2025 that will expand supports for survivors of domestic violence and strengthen safety measures.

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