Put on indefinite 'leave' after overextending intermittent FMLA

hello,

looking for some advice here, so thanks in advance for any you are able to provide.

i have intermittent FMLA but recently went well over it due to an isolated incident that caused a flare-up in the symptoms that occur regularly. my employer informed me that this extended time off would be qualified as a 'leave', and that i would need to have a work release form filled out by a doctor before i could return. i am in a manageable position health-wise now, and willing and able to work. but since i have missed so much work (about 2 weeks), i quite literally cannot afford to see a doctor. i know there are free clinics out there, but none with any relevant info about my medical history, none that could make an actual assessment surrounding the presence or absence of the symptoms i experience on a semi-regular basis.

in the event that i cannot afford to see a doctor, but am also being placed on an indefinite leave... would that not essentially qualify as being terminated? and if i were to be terminated would i then qualify for unemployment benefits?

i haven't yet contacts HR to discuss how my financial situation complicates everything. i was hoping to get some feedback before i said what could end up being the wrong thing.

thanks.

If your company let's you go due to excessive leave, you should be able to collect unemployment benefits. Before you do anything, you need a clearance from a doctor that you can work. Please note, you need this to be eligible for unemployment benefits too!