Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements for an employee to qualify for FMLA benefits?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. However, not all employees qualify for FMLA benefits. To be eligible, an employee must have worked for their employer for at least one full year and have completed a minimum of 1,250 hours during that year. Additionally, the employee must live within a 75-mile radius of their workplace. FMLA benefits are typically granted in situations where the employee or a family member is dealing with a serious health condition, or when the employee is caring for a new child in the home, either through birth, adoption, or foster care. A serious health condition is defined as a chronic illness, inpatient treatment, or the inability to perform routine daily tasks for more than three days. FMLA only covers specific family members, including spouses, children, and parents. In-laws, grandparents, siblings, and domestic partners are not covered.