The Families First Coronavirus Response Act   (FFCRA) Attorneys | Shelley & Schulte, P.C.

Overview of the FFCRA

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was a temporary federal law enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, the FFCRA required certain employers (generally those with fewer than 500 employees) to provide eligible employees with two types of paid leave related to COVID-19:

Types of Paid Leave Provided

• Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL): Up to 80 hours (or equivalent for part-time employees) of paid sick leave for reasons such as quarantine, experiencing symptoms and seeking diagnosis, caring for someone in quarantine, or caring for a child whose school or childcare was closed due to COVID-19.
• Expanded Family and Medical Leave (EFMLA): Up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave (with the first 10 days unpaid, though employees could use EPSL, followed by paid leave at two-thirds pay) primarily for caring for a child whose school or place of care was closed due to COVID-19.

These provisions provided critical support for workers and families during the height of the public health emergency. Employers received tax credits to offset the costs of providing this leave.

Current Status and Expiration

Note: The mandatory paid leave requirements under the FFCRA expired on December 31, 2020. Tax credits for voluntary extensions were available through March 31, 2021 (under subsequent legislation). While the federal mandates are no longer in effect, some states (including Virginia) or local jurisdictions may have similar protections, and standard FMLA rights continue to apply for qualifying serious health conditions.

Potential Claims and Ongoing Relevance

If you experienced issues with FFCRA leave—such as denial, interference, or retaliation—claims may still be viable depending on statutes of limitations (typically 2–3 years for wage-related violations). For more details on the original law, see the U.S. Department of Labor summary here.

Have questions about denied COVID-related leave, potential historical FFCRA claims, or current family/medical leave rights? Contact Shelley & Schulte, P.C. today for experienced guidance in Virginia employment law.