
How long can you take for FMLA leave?
Additionally, they may take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.
Does the FMLA cover substance abuse treatment?
If an individual’s employment status meets these requirements, and they need to take time to enter substance abuse treatment, the FMLA ensures that they will have a job waiting for them when they return.
How much FMLA leave do I need to take for therapy?
At the end of the eight-week period, Joe tells his employer that he will need to take three days of FMLA leave per month for an indefinite period for additional therapy; his employer may properly request a recertification at that time.
When can you use FMLA leave for chronic serious health conditions?
Under the regulations, employees continue to be able to use FMLA leave for any period of incapacity or treatment due to a chronic serious health condition.

Can FMLA be used for substance abuse treatment?
FMLA leave may only be taken for substance abuse treatment provided by a health care provider or by a provider of health care services on referral by a health care provider. Absence because of the employee's use of the substance, rather than for treatment, does not qualify for FMLA leave.
Is alcoholism a serious health condition under the FMLA?
How Does the FMLA Apply to Alcoholism? Under FMLA guidelines, alcoholism is a “serious medical condition” if — and only if — the employee passes a set of standards set forth by the Department of Labor.
Is Drug Addiction a disability?
In short, yes. Diagnosable drug and alcohol addictions, or substance use disorders (SUDs), are considered disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
What qualifies as a serious health condition under FMLA?
As defined under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves any of the following: An overnight stay in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility or any further treatment in connection with that inpatient care.
What is FMLA in health insurance?
The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to:
How many workweeks does a military caregiver have?
Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the servicemember’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave). On July 16, 2020, Wage and Hour Division announced a Request for Information (RFI) ...
How long does it take to care for a newborn child?
the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth; the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement; to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; a serious health condition that makes the ...
How long does FMLA leave last?
Additionally, they may take up to 26 weeks of FMLA leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.
How many weeks of FMLA can you take?
An eligible employee may take all 12 weeks of his or her FMLA leave entitlement as qualifying exigency leave or the employee may take a combination of 12 weeks of leave for both qualifying exigency leave and leave for a serious health condition.
How long does Janie take FMLA?
Janie takes six weeks of FMLA leave for a cancer operation and treatment and gives her employer a medical certification that states that she will be absent for six weeks. Because her certification covers a six-week absence, her employer cannot ask for a recertification during that time.
How many miles does an employer have to work to qualify for FMLA?
work at a location where the employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles; and. have worked for the employer for 12 months. The 12 months of employment are not required to be consecutive in order for the employee to qualify for FMLA leave.
How many weeks of unpaid leave can an employer give an employee?
A covered employer must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12 month period for one or more of the following reasons: for the birth of a son or daughter, and to bond with the newborn child;
When an employee requests FMLA leave, does the employer have to notify the employee of his or her eligibility to take leave
When an employee requests FMLA leave or the employer acquires knowledge that leave may be for a FMLA purpose, the employer must notify the employee of his or her eligibility to take leave, and inform the employee of his or her rights and responsibilities under the FMLA.
What happens if an employee fails to submit a properly requested medical certification?
If an employee fails to timely submit a properly requested medical certification (absent sufficient explanation of the delay), FMLA protection for the leave may be delayed or denied. If the employee never provides a medical certification, then the leave is not FMLA leave.
What is FMLA leave?
Department of Labor, “The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.”. Federally protected leave ...
When was the FMLA passed?
Finally, thanks to a “broad-based coalition, thousands of activists, and newly-elected President Clinton” … “the FMLA passed with bipartisan support in January 1993 and was signed by President Clinton as the first accomplishment of his new administration.”.
How many weeks of FMLA for newborn?
Federally protected leave under the FMLA provides 12 work weeks of leave in a one-year period for: “The birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth; “The placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement;
What is the extenuating circumstances clause in FMLA?
Other extenuating circumstances that cover drug and alcohol treatment fall under the “chronic conditions” clause of the FMLA: “Any period of incapacity or treatment for such incapacity due to a chronic serious health condition.”.
What is an overnight stay in a hospital?
Those conditions include: “An an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care,” defined as “an overnight stay in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility, including any period of incapacity …” or “continuing treatment by a health care provider,” defined as: ...
Can an addict maintain gainful employment?
Eventually, individuals with a drug and alcohol problem find that they can no longer maintain gainful employment because of that problem. Those who do are often labeled as “functional” addicts and alcoholics, but because addiction is a chronic and progressive illness, those who suffer from it aren’t, in most cases, able to keep it from affecting all areas of their lives — including their jobs.
When was the Family and Medical Leave Act written?
According to the National Partnership for Women and Families, “in 1984 , when we were known as the Women's Legal Defense Fund, we wrote the first draft of the legislation that would later become the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).”.
How long does FMLA stay in effect?
Your employment status remains effective for the 12 weeks you are in rehabilitation for drug or alcohol addiction, and your position resumes after the 12-week mark. Those who take FMLA are not eligible for pay during their 12-week leave.
How long does FMLA leave last?
Through FMLA, qualifying patients may receive up to 12 weeks of leave on an unpaid basis while seeking treatment for their drug or alcohol addiction. Since every employer is different, it’s best to speak with your management about individual medical leave parameters.
What is FMLA in rehab?
The FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), a federal law that was implemented in 1993, covers several different areas in the addiction rehab and ‘serious illnesses’ sector. FMLA helps protect, support, and advocate for those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction by ensuring they have a job to come back to when they have completed their time in rehab.
How many hours do you have to work to get FMLA in Florida?
Some of the Florida state rules for FMLA and addiction treatment are that the individual has to be employed for a minimum of 12 months by the same employer providing that absence for you and must have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours within those 12 months, among others. The hours and months do not have to be cumulative but must be within ...
How to go back to work after FMLA?
Once you have successfully completed your time in rehab and have been discharged, it’s time to re-enter everyday life as a sober, productive member of society. With this comes adapting to a new way of living, no longer controlled by your substance abuse.
What is medically assisted detox?
Medically assisted detox is the first step in the overall recovery process and involves safely and successfully weaning the patient off the substance of abuse. Detox is completed in a controlled and monitored environment and is regulated by registered nurses on a 24/7 basis.
What is the purpose of FMLA?
The FMLA provides peace of mind and ensures employment stability once the individual has re-entered day-to-day life post-treatment. Having employment to come back to is a massive stress relief for those who know they need help but are unsure of their job security once they have been discharged.
What to do if you have to extend your rehab leave?
If you need to extend your leave, you may need to provide additional medical certification.
Does FMLA have to be exact?
When someone uses FMLA for drug rehab, their employer must return them to their former job when they come back to work. It does not have to be the exact position, but it must have similar duties and identical pay.
What Is Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
President Clinton signed into law The Family Medical Leave Act in 1993. The federal law aimed “to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families.” It provides Americans with job stability and access to employer-provided healthcare during personal or family health crises.
Can Clients Cite the FMLA for Rehab or Mental Health Treatment Purposes?
Addiction is a complicated and chronic disorder that affects people’s emotional, mental, and physical health. Because of the severity of its effect on a person’s life, the FMLA protects the jobs of employees seeking addiction treatment.
Can Clients Keep Their FMLA Leaves and Health Insurance for Rehab Confidential?
All the client information from addiction treatment centers is always confidential. Healthcare providers are legally not permitted to share client health information with anyone for any reason except to provide them care. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 guarantees this.
How long does FMLA last?
Your employer has more freedom to cancel your health insurance while you are out on long-term disability due to a non-occupational accident or sickness. By definition, a long-term disability lasts much longer than 3 months. FMLA legal rights end after only 12 weeks – which is about 3 months.
What happens after you exhaust FMLA?
After you exhaust FMLA, your employer no longer has to pay its portion of the group health costs. In order to meet the criteria for continuation your group plan must be covered by COBRA, a qualifying event must occur; and you must be a qualified beneficiary for that event. [2] Covered Groups: Have 20 or more employees.
How many hours do you have to work to get family leave?
Worked for at least 1,250 hours over the 12 months. Works at a location with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. On the other hand, some states have similar family leave laws that may extend the time, and/or expand coverage to more employers and employees.
Can you cancel your health insurance while on disability?
Can your employer cancel your health insurance while you are out on disability? The sad reality is that many people can lose their coverage when they need it the most – when an accident, illness, or maternity leave prevents them from earning an income – and they need access to medical care in order to recover.
Is FMLA a life event?
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires temporary group health insurance continuation for a portion of workers – not all. You could easily fall into one or both of these cracks. Fortunately, the loss of coverage is a qualifying life event! Begin a new plan immediately during a special enrollment period.
Is an employee's own serious medical condition a qualifying reason?
An employee’s own serious medical condition is a qualifying reason. In addition, the Department of Labor rules states the following. “A covered employee is entitled to the continuation of the group health insurance coverage on the same terms as if he or she had continued to work.”. [1]
Is FMLA covered by employers?
However, many employers are not subject to FMLA and many employees are ineligible. Plus, the time off is unpaid – causing many to need financial help. Covered Employers. Employ 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks. At one or more worksites within 75 miles.
