When designing a new leave in Cocoon, you may see the question Do you need more time for a previous leave?
This question helps us process your leave request correctly—especially if you’ve taken leave for the same reason within the past year.
30 second summary
If you’ve already been approved for leave within the past 12 months for the same reason, select Yes, I need more time for a previous leave. This lets you skip the eligibility check and move forward faster. If it’s a different leave reason or it’s been over a year, select No, this is a new leave plan. You’ll go through the full eligibility process, but we’ll make sure everything is set up correctly for your new situation.
Why we ask this question
When you’ve already been approved for leave for the same leave reason in the last 12 months, we don’t need to recheck your eligibility for leave entitlements (like FMLA) or send you additional compliance notices. This means you can skip the eligibility step and move forward faster.
Other requirements—like having enough leave balance or submitting any required medical documentation—still apply.
How to choose the right option:
Select “Yes, I need more time for a previous leave” if:
You already had leave approved within the past 12 months
You’re requesting time for the same serious health condition for yourself or your family member
You’re:
Extending your time on leave for the same condition (like needing more recovery time)
Switching leave schedules (like going from a continuous to intermittent leave)
What happens next:
Cocoon classifies you as eligible for the leave
You can update the leave schedule or timeframe
You might need to provide an updated Serious Health Certification (SHC) form
Select “No, this is a new leave plan” if:
You’re taking leave for a different reason or condition, or
It's been over a year since you last went on leave for this same reason
What happens next:
You’ll design and submit a new leave request
Cocoon will check your eligibility and request a SHC form as needed
You’ll receive Eligibility and Designation Notices
Common scenarios
Here are some examples that may help guide your choice:
Scenario | What to select | Why |
You’re already on intermittent leave and need more time for the same reason | ✅ “Yes, I need more time for a previous leave” OR edit the current leave | This keeps your leave plan consistent and lets us know we don’t need to recheck your eligibility and send duplicative notices. Cocoon may ask for recertification |
You’re on continuous leave and need more time related to the same leave reason before returning | ✅ “Yes, I need more time for a previous leave” | This is still for the same reason, so it counts as an extension |
You were on intermittent leave, but now need time off for a different reason | 🆕 “No, this is a new leave plan” | A different reason means this is a new plan. Cocoon will recheck eligibility and send new eligibility and designation notices. |
You were on continuous leave, returned to work, but now need to go out again for the same reason (within a year) | ✅ “Yes, I need more time for a previous leave” | The same underlying reason means it’s an extension, even if your leave schedule changes. This also lets us know we don’t need to recheck your eligibility or send duplicative notices. |
You were on continuous leave, but now need leave for a new condition | 🆕 “No, this is a new leave plan” | A new condition means this is a new leave plan. Cocoon will recheck eligibility and send new eligibility and designation notices. |
Questions? Reach out to the Cocoon Support team at [email protected]