All tools · FMLA Eligibility & Request Letter
How Many Hours Do You Need to Be FMLA Eligible?
Use the free tool — FMLA Eligibility & Request Letter
Why Hours Matter
FMLA gives eligible workers 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave. To get that leave, you must pass three tests, and one of them is about hours: you need 1,250 hours worked in the last 12 months.
The Three Tests, Together
- 12 months with your employer.
- 1,250 hours worked in the last 12 months.
- 50 or more employees within 75 miles.
All three must be met at the same time. None of them alone is enough.
How the 1,250 Hours Are Counted
Hours are counted from your employer's records, not from your own estimate. If you're not sure how many hours you've worked, ask your employer for the records. A tool that only works from what you type in cannot see payroll records, so the number it gives you is only as good as the numbers you enter.
What Qualifies for Leave
- Birth of a child
- Adoption
- A serious health condition of you, a parent, a child, or a spouse
- Military family leave
Leave can also be taken intermittently under FMLA rules, not just all at once.
Deadlines Once You Ask
The Family and Medical Leave Act (29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) and 29 CFR Part 825 set the notice and medical-certification timelines. A written request letter starts the clock on the employer's side. You generally give 30 days' notice, or as soon as practicable if 30 days isn't possible. The employer then works against its own 5-day deadlines to respond.
What Florida Adds
Florida has no state family or medical leave law for private employers. FMLA is the only leave law most Florida workers have. Some employers offer more than FMLA requires through their own policy, so it's worth checking your employee handbook.
If Your Employer Denies Leave or Retaliates
Checking your hours and drafting a request letter doesn't cover a denial or retaliation claim. For that, the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243) is free to call. This page and any related tool are not legal advice.
What to Do Next
The free FMLA Eligibility & Request Letter tool reads your own start date, hours, company size, reason, and dates. It computes the three tests, shows the notice and certification deadlines, and drafts the written request letter for you. Confirm your hours with your employer's own records, and check with a professional if your situation is unusual.
FMLA Eligibility & Request Letter is an informational tool based on the Family and Medical Leave Act (29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) and 29 CFR Part 825 as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice and does not file requests. Eligibility depends on employer records; the employer's written eligibility notice controls. Florida has no state family/medical leave statute for private employers. It is not affiliated with any employer or agency.