The Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act of 2015

On November 5, the Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act of 2015 was signed into law. This act entitles new federal employees who have a service-connected disability rated 30% or more to take leave without penalty (loss or reduction in pay) in order to receive treatment for that disability. Basically, if you have a rating of 30% or more from the VA and you need to receive treatment but you haven’t earned enough sick leave to cover it, you can take up to 104 hours of leave without being penalized.

Now this benefit only lasts for the first 12 months of your federal employment. It begins on your first day, and whatever is left of the 104 hours at the end of your first year does not roll over to the next year, but is forfeited. The purpose of this law is to help provide the necessary time needed for care while you build up your own sick leave hours.

In order for you to utilize these hours without being penalized, you will need to provide documentation that you received treatment for your disability during this time.