Washington, D.C. – The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced today an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) in response to 2021 Winter Storm Shirley. After coordinating with Federal agencies to assess the impact on employees affected by the Texas Severe Winter Storm February 2021 in the disaster areas, OPM, in consultation with Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has determined that the establishment of an ELTP is warranted.

An ELTP permits employees in the executive and judicial branches, or agency leave banks established under 5 U.S.C. 6363, to donate unused annual leave for transfer to employees of the same or other agencies (or the judicial branch) who are adversely affected by a major disaster or emergency, either directly or through adversely affected family members, and who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. Employees who are adversely affected and seek to become emergency leave recipients must apply in writing to their agencies. An employee who is unable to do so on their own may apply through a personal representative (5 CFR 630.1105). The ELTP will be in place to assist approved leave recipients as the need for donated annual leave becomes known.

“With the authority to establish an emergency leave transfer program, OPM is uniquely positioned to help assist federal employees who have been adversely affected by 2021 Winter Storm Shirley.,” said OPM Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan. “We hope that this program will provide a bit of much needed relief to those in need.”

For more information, please see the memorandum for heads of executive departments and agencies from OPM Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan.