NALC – 3/15/21 – The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed into law on March 11, 2021, provides an important new leave benefit for letter carriers affected by COVID-19. Effective March 12, it establishes a new category of leave called Emergency Federal Employee Leave (EFEL).  EFEL is available to all federal employees if they experience a Covid-19 related absence which qualifies under the provisions of the Act.  For the current USPS guidance on EFEL leave entitlements, the qualifying reasons, and the procedures for this requesting leave, click here.