University of Southern California

Paid Family Leave (PFL) insurance is a state-mandated program that provides compensation for a period of up to 6 weeks in any 12-month period for individuals who take time off of work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner (as defined by Section 297 of the California Family Code), or to bond with a new child due to birth, adoption, or foster care placement.

By law, all employees participate in the program and are automatically enrolled the first day of employment; your contribution to PFL is included in your contribution to USC's basic disability plan. The state determines the annual rate and benefit amounts.

If you need time off to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child (subject to the definitions above):

1. Notify your supervisor and home department coordinator
2. To file a claim, call Sedgwick CMS at (800) 495-2315 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Pacific time
3. Benefit payments begin after a 7-day waiting period

Benefits will not be paid if you are receiving disability, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation or wages. If leave is due to a seriously ill family member, that illness must be medically certified.

More information about PFL is available by calling the USC Disability Office at (213) 740-5875, or at USC's PFL website. The website helps explain how benefits under PFL relate to unpaid leave, job protection, the federal Family Care Medical Leave and California Family Rights Act.