Washington, DC – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has authorized the use of an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) for federal employees adversely impacted by the 2023 Hawai’i Fires. 

After coordinating with federal agencies to assess the impact on employees adversely impacted by the 2023 Hawai’i Fires and their aftermath, OPM, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has determined that the establishment of an ELTP is warranted. 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 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 Hawai’i (Maui and Hawai’i counties). 

Agencies with employees adversely affected by the 2023 Hawai’i Fires 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.