The purpose of disability insurance is to replace a portion of your income if illness or accident prevents you from working for an extended period of time. Typically, benefit payments are calculated as a percentage of monthly earnings, and are paid after an employee has been absent from work due to a disability for a specific period of time. Disability means the employee is sick or injured to the degree that they unable to work in his or her regular occupation within sixty months.   After sixty months, disabled means the employee is unable to engage in any occupation for which he/she is reasonably fitted by education, training, or experience.

5.7.1   Short-Term Disability Insurance

The College provides eligible employees the opportunity to purchase optional short-term disability insurance with pre-tax payroll deductions. Newly hired or eligible employees must fill out an application and forward it to the Benefits Office within the first 30 days of hire or on becoming eligible for the benefit. If the employee becomes disabled, the plan provides a monthly income benefit, including any social security or workers’ compensation payments, equal to sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3) percent of your base monthly pay up to the plan maximum. Upon approval of the insurance carrier, the benefit begins with the first day of the month following three (3) months of continuous disability. Additionally, the plan provides for the continuation of College retirement contributions to the employee’s regular annuity plan provided the employee is a member of the plan. Appropriate forms for enrolling may be obtained from the Benefits Office. During open enrollment, current employees who wish to purchase short-term disability insurance as a new benefit must complete the life insurance application and Medical History Statement. Forward completed forms to the Benefits Office.  Once the carrier approves the application, payroll deductions will begin.

5.7.2   Core Long-Term Disability Insurance

The College provides core long-term disability insurance at no cost to eligible employees. Newly hired or eligible employees must fill out an application and forward it to the Benefits Office within the first 30 days of hire or on becoming eligible for the benefit. If you become disabled, the plan provides a monthly income benefit, including any social security or workers’ compensation payments, equal to sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3) percent of your base monthly pay up to the plan maximum. The benefit begins with the first day of the month following six (6) months of continuous disability. Additionally, the plan provides for the continuation of College retirement contributions to your regular annuity plan provided you are a member of the plan. All eligible employees should receive the group total disability benefits certificate when hired or on becoming eligible for the benefit. The appropriate forms for enrolling may be obtained from the Benefits Office.

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