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Disability
return to Benefits
Interim Disability
Interim Disability is intended to bridge the six month waiting period
for long term disability. The University will continue salary for a period
of up to six months in situations where medical documentation provided
to Human Resources indicates that a non-work-related illness or injury
will result in absence from work for six months or more. Salary is provided
through the use of accrued Sick Leave and/or paid interim disability leave (see "Applying for Interim Disability" below) when sick leave is exhausted. Faculty and staff members shall continue to be eligible for coverage by those benefits available before the disability. However, they shall not accrue
vacation or sick leave while on interim disability.
Eligibility - Benefits eligible faculty, PAT, Extension Educators
and Operating Staff under Traditional Leave are eligible for interim disability.
Employees under the Earned Time paid leave plan are NOT eligible
for the University's Interim Disability Plan, but have the option of applying
for the Lester L. Burdick Short Term Disability Income Protection Plan.
Allowance for interim disability is included in the Earned Time accrual
rate.
Applying for Interim Disability - If a health care provider
requires an employee to be absent from work due to non-work-related illness
or injury that may be for a period of six months or longer, a Certification
of Physician or Practitioner form (available from Human Resources) is completed and
processed through the employee's supervisor to Human Resources for approval.
Pregnancy Related - Staff who are unable to perform their
duties and responsibilities because of medical complications related to
pregnancy and childbirth may apply for interim disability. Upon receipt
of medical documentation (Certification of Physician or Practitioner
form) in support of such leave the period of interim disability is determined
on a case by case basis. Such leaves shall usually extend for a period
from childbirth through six weeks. As with all leaves for interim disability,
the period of leave shall include the use of accumulated Sick Leave benefits.
Short Term Disability Income Protection Plan
Eligibility - All benefits eligible faculty/staff members are
eligible to apply for short term disability coverage at any time and may
cancel at any time.
Description of Coverage - The basic plan is designed to provide
benefits for total disability resulting from pregnancy, non-occupational
accidents and sickness for periods of up to 26 weeks.
Benefits are paid in addition to Annual Leave, Sick Leave and Earned
Time plans. Accident benefits begin with the first day that you are treated
by your health care provider during a period of total disability. Sickness
benefits begin with the eighth day following the first treatment by your
health care provider during a period of total disability.
Enrolling - Call Human Resources for the application form
which includes the benefit schedule information and return the completed
form along with the required payroll deduction authorization card to the
USNH Benefits Office.
Effective Date of Policy - Your plan will become effective
on the first day of the month after the month in which ISI New England
receives one month's premium.
Long Term Disability
Long Term Disability (Policy)
Long Term Disability (LTD) is defined as the inability by reason of
sickness or bodily injury to engage in any occupation for which the employee
is reasonably fitted by education, training, or experience. The long term
disability benefit is payable on the first day of the month following six
months of continuous and long term disability; benefits depend on the option
selected.
Under the Flexible Benefits Program, there are three long term disability
coverage options from which to choose. Option B is for 50 - 74% appointments.
Disability payments are integrated with Social Security benefits.
| Option |
Percent Annual Salary |
Maximum Benefit |
| A |
50% of annual salary |
$5,000/month |
| B |
60% of annual salary |
$5,000/month |
| C |
66 2/3% of annual salary |
$7,000/month |
Applying for Long Term Disability (LTD) - If a health
care provider determines that an employee will be absent from work due
to illness or bodily injury for more than six months, a Certification
of Physician or Practitioner form (available through Human Resources)
is completed. The employee provides this form to his/her health care provider
for completion. As soon as possible, but no later than the 5th month of
disability, the employee completes an LTD application form (available through
Human Resources). The employee provides this form to his/her health
care provider to complete the medical section and returns it to Human Resources.
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