So you've determined that for your situation, you'll be working with OLPA. Now you're asking, "How do I apply?"
Start by planning ahead best you can. And if possible, submit your leave request at least 30 days in advance. We get that sudden health emergencies happen, so just reach out to us as soon as you can in those cases.
Now, before you officially reach out to OLPA, prepare by thinking about the answer to these questions. What's the reason for your leave? When do you need it to start and end? How will you want to be paid? Will you be on leave for a single block of time or multiple instances over several months? Also, jot down any other questions you may have. Now all you have to do is visit our online leave portal and complete a new request form. This takes about five minutes and all we need are the basics. Once you submit your leave request, you can view its status in the online portal. In just a few days, you'll be contacted to schedule a leave intake session with one of our OLPA Leave Benefit Coordinators, which we'll cover in a separate video.
Once you've completed your intake session, we'll need some official documentation to support your leave request. An example of this would be a medical certification from the healthcare provider treating you or your family member, a certificate of adoption, or a birth certificate. Once you have the required documents, you'll simply upload them through our online leave portal to complete your application. OLPA is then responsible for reviewing your documentation and issuing approval or denial letters. We know preparing documents like this can feel overwhelming, but we'll tell you exactly what you need. And finally, we recommend giving your supervisor a heads up about your leave application so they can start planning for coverage in your absence. Remember, if you hit a snag at any point, we're here to help.