Disability & Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 1.25 days per month for the number of months you work (10 months, 11 months, or 12 months). You can bank up to 45 days of sick leave.
Effingham County Schools offers disability coverage through Unum, providing income replacement if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It's essential to consider how long you could manage your expenses if you couldn't work. Short Term Disability replaces your income for up to 11 weeks, beginning on the 15th day of your disability. If your disability extends beyond 11 weeks, Long Term Disability begins on the 91st day and continues until you reach Normal Social Security Retirement age, provided you remain disabled. Disability insurance protects one of your most valuable assets—your ability to earn an income. Disabling illnesses and injuries are more common than many realize, and if you're out of work for weeks or months, this coverage helps you stay on top of regular expenses. Disability insurance benefits are paid in addition to any accrued sick leave.
Your maximum period of payment is based on your age at time of disability. Please see certificate for details.
Sick Leave Bank
You have the option to donate sick leave to help other employees when in need. In the event an employee or dependent suffers a catastrophic illness and has exhausted all his/her personal sick leave, the bank is available to provide additional days. Catastrophic is defined as a disabling injury, illness, or surgery requiring a disability period of longer than 20 continuous work days. Sick leave bank eligibility begins at the end of the 20-day period.
Benefits-eligible employees are eligible to participate in the sick leave bank, but you must have been employed for at least 1 year, and have accrued at least 6 sick leave days at the time of membership. Requests to join will only be accepted during the annual enrollment period and if approved, would be effective on the first working day in January. Please refer to the Effingham County Schools Employee Handbook for complete details.
Summary of Benefits
Pre-Existing Conditions - Short Term Disability
You have a pre-existing condition if you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic, or took prescribed drugs in the 3 months just prior to your effective date of coverage; and the disability begins in the first 6 months after your effective date of coverage. Once you have been insured on the Short Term Disability plan for 6 months, no limitation applies.
Pre-Existing Conditions - Long Term Disability
You have a pre-existing condition if you received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic, or took prescribed drugs in the 3 months just prior to your effective date of coverage; and the disability begins in the first 12 months after your effective date of coverage. Once you have been insured on the plan for 12 months, no limitation applies.
Things to Consider
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Short Term Disability Plan pays in addition to sick leave
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Long Term Disability benefits are payable up to Social Security Normal Retirement Age
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No offsets for other income on the Long Term Disability Plan
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LTD benefits are payable to age 65 if you remain disabled
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Disability plans are not portable
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