Family and Medical Leave

Printer-friendly version

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for themselves, or for a seriously ill family member, or for a new child without losing their jobs or health care insurance. Some states have additional benefits, such as paid family leave.

Website: 
Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm National Partnership for Women and Families: http://www.nationalpartnership.org
Phone: 

Department of Labor:
(866) 487-2365

National Partnership for Women and Families:
(202) 986-2600

Call the Wage and Hour Division's toll-free help line:
(866) 487-9243

Caregiver Eligibility: 

Eligible workers must:

- Work at companies with 50 or more employees at or within 75 miles of the work site
- Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-months prior to taking leave

Care Recipient Eligibility: 

Workers can take leave to care for:

- An ill spouse, child, or parent (some states include additional family members)
- A new baby or adopted child
- Themselves when they have a serious illness

Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm National Partnership for Women and Families: http://www.nationalpartnership.org

Can I get paid to care for a family member?