FMLA extension for veterans and military service members

TYLER, TX (KLTV) -
It's the 20th anniversary of the FMLA, or The Family and Medical Leave Act, and as a way to celebrate the signing of the act, the U.S. Labor Department has provided an additional extension.

Ten million workers took advantage of the job protective leave guaranteed by the FMLA, just this last year.

"American workers, American business, the American economy, and I would argue American families are all stronger today because of The Family and Medical Leave Act," says Seth Harris, the Secretary of U.S. Labor Department. 

The U.S. Labor Department is adding an additional extension that will provide families of eligible veterans the same job protected FMLA leave as it does to families of military service members.

East Texas Veteran Jim Snow says any benefit towards veterans is sure to help.

"They may have some form of depression, they may have some form of traumatic brain injury and then they would still need help even in those kind of cases. Now it may not be a major problem but it very well could be," says Snow.

Essentially, the caretaker for those veterans or military service members that are seriously injured has an entitlement of up to 26 weeks to care for their loved ones.

"If you set a short period of time and you say they will be cured, you really don't know, so the extra time period allows a much more beneficial program to the veterans themselves," says Snow.

Snow says having the 14 additional weeks, on top of the 12 previously given, will allow veterans and military service members receive the more intense care they may need.

"Lets face it, as a veteran, they have given it their all really, so let's help them," says Snow.

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