Free resources
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Whether you are facing a leave denial, need an accommodation, or just want to understand your rights, these resources can help.
Start here
Understand your rights before you call anyone.
Seven-step leave guide
Walks you through qualifying for FMLA, talking to your doctor or therapist, notifying your employer, handling documentation, and protecting yourself from retaliation. Start here if you do not know where to begin.
Worked-example letters
Ten fully-written letters for FMLA mental health leave, ADA accommodations, records-release limits, and retaliation documentation. Each includes commentary explaining why it works.
State law guides
Compare leave protections across all fifty states and DC. Your state may have stronger protections than federal law.
Free legal help
When you need someone to talk to about a leave case.
Start with the attorney who writes this site. After that, the organizations below staff free helplines, maintain attorney directories, or connect you with legal aid. A Better Balance, the first in that list, is the single most useful free resource for FMLA, ADA, and pregnancy-accommodation questions.
The attorney behind LeaveRights
A leave-rights attorney you can talk to
LeaveRights is written and kept up to date by an attorney who focuses on leave, disability, and mental-health rights at work: FMLA, the ADA, and the claims that grow out of them. The guides here are free and always will be. If you would rather talk your own situation through with a lawyer, you can reach out.
help@leaverights.comFMLA and the ADA are federal, so those questions travel anywhere. For a claim under your own state's law, we can help point you toward the right person.
A Better Balance — Work and Family Helpline
1-833-633-3222abetterbalance.org
Free legal helpline staffed by employment attorneys. The single best free resource for FMLA, ADA, pregnancy accommodation, and paid-leave questions. Confidential, callbacks usually within a few days.
Workplace Fairness
Free plain-language guides on FMLA, ADA, retaliation, and state laws, plus a searchable directory of plaintiff-side employment attorneys.
Legal Services Corporation (Legal Aid)
Federally funded legal aid offices. Free representation if you meet income eligibility (typically 125% of the federal poverty line, higher in some states).
State Bar Lawyer Referral Services
Most state bar associations offer free or low-cost initial consultations (often 30 minutes) with plaintiff-side employment attorneys. Search your state bar's website for "lawyer referral."
NELA — National Employment Lawyers Association
Member directory of plaintiff-side employment attorneys who represent employees, not employers. Useful for finding someone in your state who handles FMLA and ADA cases.
Government complaint agencies
When you need to file a complaint.
Filing with a federal or state agency is free and does not require an attorney. Deadlines matter: most FMLA complaints must be filed within two years, and most EEOC charges within 180 days.
U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division
1-866-487-9243dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact
Free intake for FMLA complaints. Investigations are confidential and free. You have two years to file for most violations, three years for willful ones.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
1-800-669-4000eeoc.gov
Files ADA discrimination, ADA retaliation, and pregnancy discrimination charges. You must file within 180 days of the incident (300 days in many states). Free, no attorney required.
Filing an EEOC charge is usually required before you can sue under the ADA.
Your State's Civil Rights / Fair Employment Agency
Most states have their own agency that parallels or supplements the EEOC, often with longer filing windows or broader protections. Search "[your state] fair employment practices agency."
Mental health support
If you need to talk to someone right now.
Crisis lines, treatment referrals, and affordable therapy options. All are free or sliding-scale. You do not need insurance to call.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 (call or text)
Free, confidential, 24/7 support from trained counselors. Available if you or someone you know is in emotional distress or crisis.
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use disorders. English and Spanish.
NAMI Helpline
1-800-950-6264
Information, referrals, and emotional support for people affected by mental illness. Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm ET.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free, confidential, text-based crisis support 24/7. Useful if a call is not possible.
Open Path Collective
Sliding-scale therapy, typically $30 to $70 per session with licensed therapists. Useful when insurance is the barrier.
For survivors of abuse
Specialized support for survivors.
Confidential hotlines and peer support for adult survivors of childhood and sexual abuse. These are the resources we point to in our survivor guides.
RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673rainn.org
Free, confidential, 24/7 support for survivors of sexual violence. Online chat available.
1in6
Resources, helpline, and support groups for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)
Free peer-led support groups, in-person and virtual, for survivors of all forms of childhood abuse.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
Free, confidential, 24/7. Originally for child abuse reporting, also serves adult survivors seeking referrals.
Find a Therapist
Look for a licensed professional who specializes in your specific condition. Many offer free initial consultations.
Find an Attorney
Look for an attorney who specializes in employment law or disability rights in your state. Many offer free initial consultations.
Contact us
Contact Us
Have a question or need help finding the right resource? We read every email and do our best to point you in the right direction.
help@leaverights.com