Who is eligible to participate in the STD Plan?
All ACTIVE regular full-time and regular part-time
classified staff who work at least 50% effort are eligible to
participate in this plan. Staff refers to individuals covered
by the terms of the Staff Classification System.
When does coverage become effective?
You are eligible for the short term disability plan after you have
completed 6 months of employment with the University.
You must be actively at work on the effective date of coverage.
Once you have become eligible for coverage, the short term
disability plan would apply as shown in the following illustration:
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Hire Date
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30 Calendar Day Elimination Period
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6 Month Eligibility Waiting Period
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Short Term Disability Benefit Coverage
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What is the elimination period?
It is a period of continuous disability which must be satisfied
before you are eligible to receive short term disability benefit
payments. The elimination period begins on the day you become
disabled and lasts thirty (30) calendar days. The amount of
working days in this period will vary from 20 to 23, depending on
the length of the month.
What is the definition of "disabled"?
"Disabled" means that you are unable to perform all the material
duties of your job, not doing any work for payment, and under the
regular and continuing care of a physician.
Am I required to use sick days while I am not working?
Vacation Days? Personal Holidays?
You are required to use your accrued sick days up to
a maximum of 12 weeks under the University's policy for FMLA leave.
This may require you to use up to a maximum of 60 sick days (if they
are available) to cover the FMLA period (12 weeks X 5 days).
If you are not eligible for an FMLA leave, you must still use your
accrued sick days.
You are not required to use accrued vacation days or personal
holidays during your disability. However, you may choose to
use these days in lieu of short term disability benefit coverage, if
you desire.
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Elimination Period
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Short Term Disability Benefit Coverage Begins
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Long Term Disability Coverage Begins
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What amount of Short Term Disability benefit will I receive?
Once the elimination period is satisfied, and you have used the
required sick days , you are eligible to receive a weekly benefit
equal to 60% of your basic weekly salary (calculated from your
monthly earnings) up to a maximum benefit of $1,500 per week.
How long will I receive the Short Term Disability benefit?
Short term disability benefit payments begin after the 30th calendar
day (4 weeks) of coverage and continue for the duration of the
disability to a maximum of 26 weeks. The illustration below
shows how the duration of the short term disability works:
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Elimination Period
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Short Term Disability Benefit Coverage Begins
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Long Term Disability Coverage Begins
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If you are unable to return to work
at the end of the short term disability coverage period, you may be
eligible for long term disability coverage pending approval from
your physician and the insurance carrier. If this is the case,
you would experience continual coverage through your disability.
When and how do I file a claim?
Short term disability claims must be filed immediately after a
disabling injury or illness occurs. You must contact your
departmental administrator and the Office of Human Resources to
initiate the claims processing. Please click
here for more information.
What is excluded from benefit coverage?
Short term disability benefits are not paid for any
period of disability caused by an intentionally self-inflicted
injury, an act of war, commission of or attempt to commit a felony,
or sickness or injury for which workers' compensation benefits are
paid.
Also, short term disability benefits are not paid for days during
the period of disability used as sick days, personal holidays, or
vacation days.
Who pays for short term disability coverage?
The University pays for the entire cost of your short
term disability insurance.
Who is the claims administrator of this plan?
The processing of claims associated with short term disability plan
will be administered by MetLife, the current claims
administrator of the University's long term disability plan.
What happens to my enrollment in other benefits while I am on short term
disability leave?
You may elect to continue participation through the
University for your insurance benefits. If you elect to
continue your insurance benefits, your share of the premium costs
will continue to be deducted from your paycheck.
What if I need additional information?
If you have additional questions regarding your short
term disability coverage, please call the
Benefits Department at (412) 624-8160.
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