Part-time, Intermittent, or Reduced Work Schedule FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about receiving Disability Insurance (DI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits while working part-time, intermittently, or a reduced work schedule. Visit Part-time, Intermittent, and Reduced Work Schedule for general information.

If I am working part time, returning to work part time, or working but must reduce my hours, am I eligible for Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits?

You may be eligible to receive benefits as long as you:

If you are losing wages, we suggest that you apply for benefits and we will determine if you are eligible. After receiving your properly completed claim, we will determine if you are eligible for benefits.

What is intermittent leave?

Intermittent leave is when you partially return to work during your claim period at irregular intervals (e.g., days, weeks, or months apart).

Can I use Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits intermittently while working part-time?

Yes. You can receive benefits intermittently while working part-time as long as you continue to meet the other eligibility requirements.

How do I show that I want to use Disability Insurance benefits intermittently on the Claim for Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits (DE 2501)?

Using SDI Online:

  1. Complete the questions in Section 3 - Employment Information.
  2. Answer Yes to “Since your disability began, have you worked or are you working any full or partial days?”
  3. Answer Yes to “Have you returned to work?”
  4. Enter the date you returned to work or will return to work.
  5. Complete all Employment Information questions about working, wages, and payment dates.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.

  1. Answer Yes to question A20 “Since your disability began, have you worked or are you working any full or partial days?”
  2. Enter the date you returned or will return to work in question A21B.
  3. Attach a detailed note to your claim form explaining which days you worked or will be worked and the number of hours worked each day.

How do I show that I want to use my bonding benefits intermittently on the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits - New Mother (DE 2501FP)?

New mothers who were on pregnancy disability and are transitioning to bonding should use these instructions.

Using SDI Online:

  1. Complete the questions in Section 4 - Paid Family Leave Claim Information.
  2. Answer No to “Do you want to claim the maximum amount of benefit weeks now?”
  3. Enter the date you want to be paid through.
  4. On Section 5 – Employer Information, complete all questions about working, wages, and payment dates.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.

  1. Answer No to question 4 “Do you want to claim the full maximum benefit weeks now?”
  2. Enter the date you want to stop your bonding claim.
  3. Attach a detailed note to your claim form explaining which days you worked or will be worked and the number of hours worked each day.

How do I show that I want to use my bonding benefits intermittently on the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits (DE 2501F) if I am a new parent?

If you are a new father, mother, or foster or adoptive parent without a transitional disability claim, you should use these instructions to apply for bonding benefits.

Using SDI Online:

  1. Complete the questions in Section 7 – Additional Questions.
  2. Answer No to “Do you want to claim the maximum amount of benefit weeks now?”
  3. Enter the date you want to be paid through, the date you returned to work, or you plan to return to work.
  4. Answer Yes to “Will you work at any time during your family leave?”
  5. Complete all questions about working, wages, and payment dates.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.

  1. Enter the date you returned or will return to work on question A12.
  2. Answer Yes to question A13 “Did you work or will you continue to work during your family leave period?”
  3. Attach a detailed note to your claim form explaining which days you worked or will be worked and the number of hours worked each day.

To view a sample claim form, visit Paid Family Leave – Forms and Publications. To order the DE 2501F, visit Online Forms and Publications.

How do I show that I want to use my benefits intermittently on the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits (DE 2501F) if I am a caregiver?

Claimants applying for care claim benefits should use these instructions.

Using SDI Online:

  1. Complete the questions in Section 3 – Additional Questions.
  2. Answer No to “Do you want to claim the maximum amount of benefit weeks now?”
  3. Enter the date you want to be paid through, the date you returned to work, or you plan to return to work.
  4. Complete all questions about working, wages, and payment dates.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.

  1. Enter the date you returned or will return to work on question A12.
  2. Answer Yes to question A13 “Did you work or will you continue to work during your family leave period?”
  3. Attach a detailed note to your claim form explaining which days will be worked and the number of hours worked each day.

To view a sample claim form, visit Paid Family Leave – Forms and Publications. To order the DE 2501F, visit Online Forms and Publications.

How do I show that I want to use my benefits intermittently on the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits (DE 2501F) for Military Assist claims?

Claimants applying for Military Assist claim benefits should use these instructions.

Using SDI Online:

  1. Complete the questions in Section 3 – Additional Questions-Paid Family Leave Information.
  2. Answer No to “Do you want to claim the maximum amount of benefit weeks now?”
  3. Enter the date you want to be paid through, the date you returned to work, or you plan to return to work.
  4. Complete all questions about working, wages, and payment dates.
  5. Complete all the military assist information.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send some documents by U.S. mail even if you chose electronic communication.

  1. Enter the date you returned or will return to work on question A12.
  2. Answer Yes to question A13 “Did you work or will you continue to work during your family leave period?”
  3. Attach a detailed note to your claim form explaining which days will be worked and the number of hours to be worked each day.
  4. Complete Part E – Military Assist Certification.

To view a sample claim form, visit Paid Family Leave – Forms and Publications. To order the DE 2501F, visit Online Forms and Publications.

How do I notify the EDD that I want to take leave intermittently after applying for eight continuous weeks of Paid Family Leave benefits?

If you decide to work intermittently after submitting a claim requesting eight continuous weeks of benefits, you will need to contact the EDD. You can:

Paid Family Leave Customer Service Center
PO Box 45011
Fresno, CA 93718-5011

You can also visit AskEDD and follow these steps:

How do I continue my benefits?

For information on how to continue benefits, visit: