Estimated Weekly PFL Benefit — Restaurant Worker · 2026
$485/week
Based on $36,000/year · 8-week total: $3,877
How This Was Calculated
For a Restaurant Worker earning $36,000/year, EDD calculates your PFL benefit using the highest-quarter method:
1
Highest Quarter Earnings$36,000 ÷ 4 = $9,000 · Tips reported on your W-2 count toward your PFL benefit base.
2
Average Weekly Wage (AWW)$9,000 ÷ 13 weeks = $692/week
3
Apply Rate: 70%$692 × 70% = $485/week
4
Multiply by Weeks$485 × 8 weeks = $3,877 total
Benefit by Number of Weeks
| Leave Duration | Weekly Benefit | Total Benefit |
|---|
| 1 week | $485/wk | $485 |
| 2 weeks | $485/wk | $969 |
| 4 weeks | $485/wk | $1,938 |
| 6 weeks | $485/wk | $2,908 |
| 8 weeks | $485/wk | $3,877 |
PFL Rules That Apply to Restaurant Workers
Restaurant Workers working in California who pay into SDI through paycheck withholding qualify for PFL when bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Your SDI deductions appear on your pay stub as "CASDI."
⚠️File within 41 days of your first day of leaveMissing this deadline forfeits your PFL benefits permanently. File at edd.ca.gov on day one of leave.
ℹ️Job protection for Restaurant WorkersPFL pays your income but doesn't protect your job alone. Most California Restaurant Workers at employers with 5+ workers also qualify for CFRA leave, which runs concurrently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much PFL does a Restaurant Worker get in California 2026? +
A Restaurant Worker earning $36,000/year receives an estimated $485/week. Over the maximum 8-week period, that totals $3,877. Actual benefits depend on your specific quarterly wages reported to EDD.
Does a Restaurant Worker's bonus or overtime affect PFL? +
Yes. If overtime or bonus pay was reported on your W-2 and boosted one quarter above your average, EDD will use that higher quarter — potentially increasing your benefit. Always use your actual highest quarter when estimating.
Can I take PFL intermittently as a Restaurant Worker? +
Yes. PFL can be taken in separate blocks — for example, a few days per week for bonding — subject to your employer's approval and EDD's intermittent claim procedures. Your total cannot exceed 8 weeks per 12-month period.
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