The Research Foundation provides the following income protection programs when you are disabled and unable to work.

Under New York State Law, the RF provides this off-the-job illness or injury benefit and pays all employees the full cost of the coverage. In the event of a disability, you will begin receiving income replacement after you have exhausted your sick leave accruals. After a seven-calendar-day waiting period or the exhaustion of your sick leave accruals (whichever is greater), you receive 50 percent of your average salary for the eight weeks before disability, up to the maximum benefit established under the New York State Disability Benefits Law, currently $170 per week. You can receive benefits for up to a maximum of 26 weeks.

The health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits in effect when you become disabled will be continued for the period during which partial income replacement is received through New York State Disability insurance, subject to the terms of those plans.

If your disability absence exceeds seven calendar days, contact us to get the documents and information necessary to obtain disability income.

You and your physician should complete a New York State Disability Claim Form (DB-450) and file it with your campus Benefits Office. The DB-450 can be obtained from Human Resources.

The Research Foundation offers eligible employees the option to purchase additional short-term disability coverage, through First Reliance, beyond those provided by the New York State Disability Benefits Law (DBL). You may purchase a weekly benefit in $100 increments, at most 60% of your salary. Your benefit is offset by the benefits provided by New York State Disability (DBL). You can receive income replacement benefits for up to 26 weeks.

An employee working at least 50 percent of full time on a regular appointment and whose annual salary is at least $15,000 is eligible to enroll in the plan.

Suppose you enroll for the plan within your first 60 days of benefits eligibility. In that case, you are guaranteed coverage without medical examinations or questions and will not be subject to any pre-existing condition exclusions. If you enroll in the plan after becoming benefits-eligible, you must apply for the coverage by submitting a completed Benefits Enrollment form and Voluntary Short-Term Disability Enrollment Form.

Long-term disability provides partial income replacement for a certified total disability that prevents you from working for more than six months. Insurance is provided through First Reliance. Full-time, regular employees are eligible for long-term disability benefits. These benefits are paid in full by the Research Foundation and begin on the first day following 180 consecutive days of a certified total disability (or when full sick leave payments end, if later) and ensure a monthly income on a long-term basis.

Coverage begins on the first day following one year of full-time service, and there is no need to enroll for this benefit. You will receive 60 percent of your regular monthly salary up to a maximum of $7,500 per month (this amount is offset by other income such as disability insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and actual or estimated Social Security benefits).