WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has authorized the use of an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) for Federal employees affected by Hurricane Dorian. Through this authorization, agencies may solicit for donated annual leave, which will then be transferred to affected and qualifying employees.

Of the nearly 200,000 Federal employees that fell in Dorian’s path (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina), 3,163 have been affected by the storm. Four cabinet-level agencies (Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Housing and Urban Development, and Veteran’s Affairs) have requested the establishment of an ELTP on the employees’ behalf.

“Issuing an ELTP is how OPM can support our colleagues that found themselves in harm’s way,” said Director Dale Cabaniss. “We will continue to monitor the situation of the agencies affected and issue guidance as necessary to help those caught by Hurricane Dorian’s devastation.” 

OPM consults with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish an ELTP in the event of a major disaster or emergency declared by the President. President Trump declared a state of emergency for the areas in the path of Hurricane Dorian on Aug. 31, 2019. 

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 who are adversely affected by the emergency and who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. The ELPT is in place to assist approved leave recipients as the need for donated annual leave becomes known.