How do I file for disability or paid family leave?

Last updated: October 28, 2026

Applies to: US W-2 employees who need time off for their own non-work illness, injury or pregnancy, or to care for a family member or bond with a new child. Independent contractors are not covered by Ascen for these programs. Canadian T4 employees use federal Employment Insurance sickness and parental benefits instead (in Quebec, maternity and parental benefits come from QPIP). If you were hurt at work, that is workers' compensation, not disability: see How workers' compensation works for you.

Summary: Disability and paid family leave pay in the US are mostly state programs: you apply to the state agency (or, in New York, to Ascen's disability and family leave insurer), and the state decides your benefit. Ascen's part is to get your notice, confirm your employment and wages, and fill in the employer section of any form. Tell Ascen first by emailing support@ascen.com with your expected start date, how long you expect to be out and your expected return date, and tell your staffing partner and your supervisor at the client site that you will be absent. Whether a program exists depends on the state you work in.

Steps that apply everywhere

  1. Tell your supervisor and your staffing partner you will be absent, as early as you can.

  2. Email support@ascen.com with your start date, expected length of leave and expected return date. Ask for any employer form your state needs.

  3. Apply to your state program using the links below, before the state's deadline.

  4. If you have Ascen health coverage, keep paying your share of the premium during unpaid leave, or your coverage may end. Ask us how if you are not being paid.

Being approved for state benefits pays you part of your wages. It is not by itself an approved leave of absence, which is why step 2 matters. Some leave is also job-protected under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or state law if you meet the eligibility rules; see the DOL's FMLA page.

California: State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)

  • SDI pays part of your wages for up to 52 weeks when you cannot work because of your own illness, injury or pregnancy. There is a 7-day unpaid waiting period. Apply online with the Employment Development Department (EDD) at edd.ca.gov SDI Online. You cannot apply before your disability starts: EDD asks you to wait 9 days after your disability begins, and to file no later than 49 days after it begins or you may lose benefits.

  • PFL pays part of your wages for up to 8 weeks a year to care for a seriously ill family member, bond with a new child, or for certain military family needs. No waiting period. Apply at edd.ca.gov Paid Family Leave, no later than 41 days after your leave starts.

  • Both are funded by the SDI deduction on your pay stub. EDD decides eligibility and the amount.

New York: Disability Benefits (DBL) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)

  • DBL pays part of your wages for up to 26 weeks when you cannot work because of your own off-the-job illness, injury or pregnancy, after a 7-day waiting period. File the claim form (Form DB-450) within 30 days of the start of your disability. Email support@ascen.com and we will send you the form and where to send it.

  • PFL gives up to 12 weeks in a 52-week period to care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, or for military family needs, at 67% of your average weekly wage up to the state cap. You are eligible after working 20 or more hours a week for 26 weeks, or 175 days if you work fewer hours. Give 30 days' notice when you can, and submit the Request for Paid Family Leave form with proof of need within 30 days of starting leave. Ascen completes the employer part of the form and returns it to you within 3 business days.

  • You cannot receive DBL and PFL for the same days, and the two together are capped at 26 weeks in 52.

Massachusetts: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Up to 20 weeks of medical leave, 12 weeks of family leave, or 26 weeks combined in a benefit year. Give Ascen at least 30 days' written notice when you can. Apply to the Department of Family and Medical Leave at paidleave.mass.gov, as early as 60 days before and no later than 90 days after your leave starts. There is a 7-day unpaid waiting period.

Colorado: Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

Up to 12 weeks a year, plus up to 4 more weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications and up to 12 more weeks while a newborn is in the NICU. Give Ascen 30 days' notice when you can, and apply on the My FAMLI+ portal, as early as 30 days before your leave.

New Jersey and Washington

New Jersey (Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance) and Washington (Paid Family and Medical Leave) run their own state programs, and you apply to the state agency. Email support@ascen.com before you apply so we can confirm your employment and wage details.

Other states

Other states have their own programs, or none. Email support@ascen.com with the state you work in and we will tell you what applies. Paid sick leave required by your state or city may also cover some absences.

Where to get help

  • Ascen (support@ascen.com): notice of your leave, employer forms, your wage records, and keeping your benefits during leave.

  • Your staffing partner: your schedule and return-to-work date with the client.

  • Your state agency: your claim, eligibility and benefit amount.

This is general information, not legal advice. The state agency decides every claim.