Short-Term Disability Claims
Short-term disability insurance provides income replacement if you are unable to work due to a disability for a defined period of time.
GW provides two options. Eligiblity is based on employee type and years of service. Short term disability payments may be reduced if you receive other deductible income while you are disabled.
GW Paid Short-Term Disability
After two years of benefits eligible service, full-time faculty and staff are eligible for GW Paid Short-Term Disability.
If approved, the GW Paid STD benefit will replace 50% or 100% of your benefits eligible salary (minus appropriate deductions) for the approved duration of your disability, after the 14 calendar day benefit elimination period. The benefit elimination period is the time period you must be disabled for before you would receive the disability benefit.
Coordination with Paid Time Off
GW Paid STD is paid through GW Payroll Services therefore employees approved for 50% or 100% GW Paid STD benefits will continue to accrue annual and sick time at 50% or 100% of the employee's normal accrual rate, respectively. If a holiday falls within the approved GW Paid STD payment period, STD benefits are paid, not holiday pay.
Voluntary Short-Term Disability (VSTD)
Full-time faculty and staff with less than two years of benefits-eligible service, part-time faculty and staff as well as Medical Residents are eligible for VSTD coverage.
If approved, the VSTD benefit will replace 60% of your benefits eligible salary. as of the date of disability, up to a maximum of $3,000 per week, for up to 150 calendar days, after the 14 calendar day benefit elimination period. The benefit elimination period is the time period you must be disabled for before you would receive the disability benefit.
Coordination with Paid Time Off
You can elect to use accrued sick, annual, or other applicable available paid time off to remain in paid status during the elimination period or to supplemental your GW pay.
The VSTD benefit is paid by Lincoln Financial not through GW Payroll Services. Therefore, an employee’s sick and annual time accrual for the time on disability may need to be pro-rated per university time off policy.
Employment Status and Short-Term Disability
Approval of Short-Term Disability benefits does not guarantee continued employment. You must still follow applicable university policies for approval of job-protected leave, such as Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
If you believe you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may also request a reasonable accommodation to allow you to perform the essential functions of your position which may include a period of job-protected leave.
Occupational Disabilities
Disabilities due to occupational injuries or illnesses are not covered under the university’s short term disability plans therefore those situations need to be reported to the Risk Management department for consideration of Worker’s Compensation.
If you apply for Worker’s Compensation or have been denied for Worker’s Compensation and you are appealing the denial, any open STD claim for the same disability will be closed. In addition, if it is determined that your disability is due to an occupational illness or injury, you will be required to reimburse the university for any STD pay received. You must contact GW Benefits if you apply for or have been approved for worker’s compensation benefits or are appealing a Worker’s Compensation denial related to a short term disability claim.
Contact Lincoln Financial (PDF) to apply.