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How does the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO) work?

Getting supplemental pay on top of California PFL to bond with your baby


Quick answer
SF PPLO provides up to 8 weeks of supplemental compensation to employees already receiving California PFL benefits for bonding with a new child, topping their pay up to 100% of normal weekly wages (up to a weekly maximum). For 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $2,522. To be eligible, an employee needs at least 180 days of tenure, must work at least 8 hours per week in San Francisco, must work at least 40% of their total hours in San Francisco, and must be eligible to receive California PFL. PPLO is funded entirely by the employer, not the state.

Who this applies to / Prerequisites

  • Employers with 20 or more employees worldwide
  • Employees with at least 180 days of tenure who work at least 8 hours/week in San Francisco and at least 40% of their total hours in San Francisco
  • Employee must be eligible for California PFL — PPLO supplements PFL rather than standing alone

How PPLO works

  1. Confirm the employee meets all four eligibility criteria: 180+ days tenure, 8+ hours/week worked in San Francisco, 40%+ of total hours worked in San Francisco, and PFL eligibility.
  2. The employee first applies for PFL benefits through the state of California.
  3. The employee then submits PPLO information to their employer to receive supplemental compensation.
  4. PPLO tops up the employee's PFL payment so they receive 100% of their normal weekly wages during parental leave, up to the weekly maximum ($2,522 for 2026).
  5. PPLO is funded entirely by the employer (unlike PFL, which is employee-funded), and there is no waiting period.
  6. Where applicable, PPLO runs concurrently with CFRA, FMLA, and PFL for bonding leaves.

What if it doesn't work

  • Employee hasn't applied for PFL yet: PPLO requires PFL eligibility first — the employee must apply for and be eligible for PFL before PPLO supplemental compensation applies.
  • Employee doesn't meet the San Francisco work-hour thresholds: They must work at least 8 hours/week and at least 40% of total hours in San Francisco to qualify — if not met, PPLO doesn't apply, though PFL may still.
  • Employer has fewer than 20 employees worldwide: PPLO does not apply — only PFL would be available.
  • If none of these apply, contact your Leave Success Manager.

Limits and exceptions

  • PPLO only applies to employers with 20 or more employees worldwide.
  • PPLO requires PFL eligibility as a prerequisite — it is a supplement, not a standalone benefit.
  • PPLO is funded entirely by the employer, unlike PFL and SDI, which are employee-funded.
  • The maximum weekly benefit for 2026 is $2,522; subject to annual change.
  • Requires meeting all four eligibility criteria (tenure, SF hours, SF hour percentage, PFL eligibility) — missing any one disqualifies the employee from PPLO specifically.

Related questions

  • Do I need to apply for PFL before I can get PPLO?
  • How many hours do I need to work in San Francisco to qualify for PPLO?
  • How much does PPLO pay on top of PFL in 2026?
  • Does my employer need a minimum number of employees for PPLO to apply?
  • Who funds PPLO — the state or the employer?