Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has authorized the use of an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) for federal employees and their families adversely impacted by Hurricane Milton.
After assessing the impact on employees in the declared disaster areas, OPM, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has determined that the establishment of an ELTP is warranted for Hurricane Milton. The establishment of an ELTP permits employees in the executive and judicial branches, or agency leave banks established under 5 U.S.C. 6363 to donate unused leave for transfer to employees within their agency or at other agencies who are severely adversely affected or have family members who are severely adversely affected by a major disaster or emergency as declared by the President and who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. This ELTP will assist federal employees in the declared disaster areas in Florida. Due to the evolving nature of this hurricane, if President Biden adds any additional areas to the disaster declaration for Hurricane Milton after the issuance of this memorandum, they will be considered to be included in this ELTP and federal employees in those areas will also become eligible for ELTP donations.
Agencies with employees severely adversely affected by Hurricane Milton or their family members are in the best position to determine whether, and how much, donated annual leave is needed by their employees and which of their employees have been adversely affected by the emergency within the meaning of OPM regulations. They are also in the best position to quickly facilitate the transfer of donated annual leave within their agencies.
Agencies are responsible for administering the ELTP for their own affected employees. Employees should contact their servicing agency human resources office for further information on the emergency leave transfer program.