The short-term disability plan is designed to provide you with income and benefits continuation if you are unable to work for more than five business days due to medical reasons that are not work-related.
How does it work?
The plan provides you with 100% up to 8 weeks (80% after) of your pre-disability salary up to the time provided in the policy (based on your employment status and length of employment at Rice — see the policy for details). All absences under the policy must be supported by submitting medical documentation to Unum, Rice’s Short-Term Disability (STD) administrator.
STD benefits for staff begin after an absence of five (5) workdays. If the staff member has accumulated paid time off, it will be applied to cover the first five days of absence in each incident. Otherwise, the staff member will not be paid for the initial elimination period (first 5 days or equivalent).
Faculty who use the STD benefits are paid STD from day one of their approved leave, as they do not accrue paid time off.
Short Term Disability- University Policy 423
As of July 1, 2023, the maximum amount of leave time covered by STD for each illness or injury (including later absences due to the same illness or diagnosis) depends on the specific illness or incident and length of service according to the table below:
| Length of Employment | Faculty | Professional Staff (Exempt) | Technical/Support Staff (Non-Exempt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 6 months | 1/2 Academic Year Salary | 0 days | 0 hours |
| 6+ months - 3 years | 1/2 Academic Year Salary | 65 days | 520 hours |
| 3 + years | 1/2 Academic Year Salary | 130 days | 1,040 hours |
Employees with less than 3 years of service in a benefits-eligible position, may receive up to a maximum amount of 65 days (13 weeks) of disability pay. If the employee remains under their doctor’s care for 180 days, the employee may transition to Long Term Disability.
Additional Information
- How to Initiate a Claim
-
Unum administers Rice’s short-term disability program.
You can initiate your claim through Unum by either calling their toll-free number 888-857-0157 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm central time Monday – Friday — or visiting them online at www.unum.com/claims (select “File a New Claim” and then simply follow the guided steps).
Please contact Unum should you feel you will qualify for the short-term disability program for a current illness or injury, or if you have a planned qualifying condition such as a pregnancy or scheduled surgery.
Rice’s group number is 129790.
- Intermittent Leave
-
Under most circumstances, short-term disability pay continuation is not available for intermittent medical leave. The employee should remain on disability leave until ready to return to work and can perform the essential functions of their position with or without reasonable accommodation. In most cases, staff will be expected to use paid time off or be unpaid for intermittent absences due to medical conditions.
All absences under the policy must be supported by medical documentation provided to Unum, Rice's short-term disability administrator. Your job at Rice is protected under FMLA for up to twelve weeks of absence (after one year of service and working at least 1,250 hours the prior year). FMLA leave can be used on an intermittent basis. After this time, you may be terminated from your position, but apply for other open positions at the University (but are not guaranteed further employment).
- Benefits Coverage During Leave
-
Your participation in medical and/or dental plans will remain in effect while on paid short-term disability leave and your regular benefits deductions will continue to be deducted from your pay. The life insurance coverage you had in effect at the onset of your disability will also remain in effect for the period for which you are receiving benefits. You may change your life insurance beneficiaries at any time using iO.
If your leave extends beyond any paid leave, you are responsible for contacting the Benefits team to make arrangements for payment of your portion of the cost of the benefits. Failure to make payments for your coverage may result in the loss of benefits.
Holidays: Staff members do not get holiday or recess time for missed holidays or recess time while on leave (even if using paid time off during the elimination period). Neither the employee nor the department can use PTO or any other payment to supplement their pay while on short-term disability leave.
Flexible Spending Accounts: To learn more, please visit our Flexible Spending Accounts page. If enrolled in a medical spending account or dependent care spending account, your contributions may continue if on paid leave and you may submit claims for reimbursement for any eligible expenses incurred (not paid) while on paid leave.
Retirement Plans: While on disability, the university will continue to make contributions to your retirement account based on your reduced salary during your disability. Your contributions will stop once you no longer receive short-term disability payments. However, earnings on the money that you have already contributed will continue, and you may make changes to the investment of your retirement plan contributions on a monthly basis.
FMLA: Your job at Rice is protected under FMLA for up to twelve weeks of absence (after one year of service and working at least 1,250 hours the prior year). After this time, you may be released from your position while remaining on disability. Once you are released from your doctor’s care, you are welcome to apply for an open position at the university.
POLICY 417 - Family/Medical Leaves
Remember! Contact the Benefits team to coordinate your disability benefits and the leave process. Let the benefits team know if you have any questions or concerns about your benefits while on leave.
For more information about Rice’s Short-Term Disability, please contact the Benefits team.