About the Program
The San Joaquin Small Business Resilience Program helps eligible small businesses in San Joaquin County access funding to offset workforce-related costs when employees take California Paid Family Leave (PFL).
Small businesses often face significant challenges when key employees need time away from work to care for a new child, support a family member with a serious health condition, or address qualifying family needs. The costs associated with training replacement staff, cross-training existing employees, recruiting temporary workers, and maintaining day-to-day operations can place additional strain on small employers.
The San Joaquin Small Business Resilience Program was created to help businesses navigate these challenges while continuing to support their employees and their families. Through this program, eligible employers may receive reimbursement funding to help cover costs associated with:
- Employee training and cross-training
- Temporary staffing and workforce coverage
- Recruitment and onboarding
- Business continuity and workforce transition activities
The program serves businesses with 100 or fewer employees located in San Joaquin County and is funded through the California Employment Training Panel's Paid Family Leave Small Business Grant Program.
Our goal is simple: strengthen local businesses, support working families, and build a more resilient workforce throughout San Joaquin County.
San Joaquin Small Business Resilience Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility Criteria
Employers may qualify if they:
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- Are located in San Joaquin County
- Employ 100 or fewer employees
- Have at least one (1) employee utilizing California's Paid Family Leave program
- Are registered to do business in the State of California
- Are in active status with the California Secretary of State's Office
- Have an active California Employer Account Number (CEAN) under which their employees are listed for payroll
Is my business eligible?
Small businesses in California with 1-100 employees with at least one (1) employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program (on or after June 30, 2026) are eligible to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee on PFL to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave.
How do I find my company's NAICS Code?
Please visit: https://www.census.gov/naics/
Where do I find my company's California Employer Account Number (CEAN)?
Your CEAN is eight-digits and is used to file your California Employer Payroll Taxes. You can find this number on your DE-9. If you do not know your CEAN, go to https://edd.ca.gov/ or call the Employment Development Department (EDD)
1-888-745-3886. EDD is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
How do I obtain my employee's EDD Customer Number?
The Employee's EDD Customer Number is a unique 10-digit number provided to the employee by EDD. It is NOT the employee's social security number. You may need to ask your employee if they will provide it to you.
FYI: After an employee files a claim for Paid Family Leave, EDD will send you the Notice of Paid Family Leave (PFL) Claim Filed (DE 2503F) to verify the information the employee provided on their claim. Do not forget to complete and return the paper form to the EDD within two working days to verify the information the employee provided on their claim.
Can I have multiple employees on Paid Family Leave and be eligible?
Participating employers may have more than one employee utilizing California's Paid Family Leave program; however, in such situations, funds shall be awarded in increments of $1,000.00 or $2,000.00 per employee utilizing California's Paid Family Leave.
What is the time period to apply?
The grant period is June 30, 2026, through June 29, 2028, or until funds are exhausted. Businesses may apply for employees who use California Paid Family Leave during this period.
Is my employee's information safe when we apply for a PFL grant?
We use an encrypted form to protect sensitive information and keep it confidential.
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