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Division of Finance and Administration
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Division of Finance and Administration
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Optional Payment Election Program

The Optional Payment Election Program allows eligible employees to elect to receive an optional payment as a salary advance. The advance is repaid through future payroll deductions. Learn more about eligibility, the election process and how salary advances work.

On This Page:

Get More Information from the NYS Office of Employee Relations

Overview

The Optional Payment Election Program is a voluntary program that allows eligible new and returning employees to receive a payroll advance (loan) equal to approximately two weeks of their base salary, calculated at the hiring rate for their position, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Employees who elect to participate will:

  • receive their payment approximately two weeks after beginning employment. 
  • repay advance through automatic payroll deductions spread evenly over the first 14 regular paychecks.

Eligibility

Eligible

  • State employees 
  • Full-time annual salaried employees
  • New employees or former employees returning after having been inactive for 1+ pay periods 
  • Eligible bargaining unit

Not Eligible

  • RF, UBF, FSA or other non-state employees
  • Part-time employees
  • Hourly employees
  • Temporary employees

The program is available to eligible employees represented by:

  • Management/Confidential (M/C)
  • Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)
  • United University Professions (UUP)
  • New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA)
  • Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBANYS)
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (PEF)

How to Participate

The Optional Payment Election is a time-sensitive election. Employees who wish to participate must choose one of the following enrollment options:

Faculty

  1. Request an appointment to submit the Optional Payment Election Form when a notary is available. Request via email ub-HR@buffalo.edu. 
  2. Provide New York State Employee ID (N#) if a former state employee or the last four digits of your social security number for the employee identification number field.
  1. Complete the Optional Payment Election Form (will be provided by the department).
  2. Provide New York State Employee ID (N#) if a former state employee or the last four digits of your social security number for the employee identification number field.
  3. Have the completed form notarized.
  4. Submit the completed and notarized form to Human Resources.

Non-Faculty

  1. Complete the Optional Payment Election Form during your onboarding paperwork appointment.
  2. Provide New York State Employee ID (N#) if a former state employee or the last four digits of your social security number for the employee identification number field.
  3. Human Resources will provide the form and notary services.
  1. Request an appointment via email: ub-HR@buffalo.edu with a notary to complete and sign the Optional Payment Election Form. 

Contact HR

Human Resources
Townsend Hall
205 Hayes Road
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-645-7777
ub-HR@buffalo.edu

Due Date

3 weeks prior to your start date original notarized forms are due to HR. 

FAQs

  • If you are not attending paperwork day, completed original notarized forms are due in the HR office three weeks before your start date.
  • If you are attending paperwork day, forms are due on that day.
  • Original notarized forms only will be accepted. 
  • Payments are typically issued approximately two weeks after the employee's start date.
  • Processing times may vary, and payment timing is not guaranteed.
  • Paper check, if direct deposit has not been established

The Optional Payment Election is a payroll advance and must be repaid in full.

  • Repayment occurs over 14 pay periods.
  • One-fourteenth (1/14) of the total advance amount will be automatically deducted from each paycheck.
  • Deductions are made after taxes.
  • Alternative repayment schedules are not available.
  • No taxes are withheld when the advance payment is issued.
  • If you decide to opt in, and submit your form to HR, the election is irrevocable and cannot be canceled or changed.
  • If you decide to opt out, late submissions cannot be accepted if you decide later that you want to opt in.

If employment ends before the advance has been fully repaid, any remaining balance may be recovered from:

  • The employee's final paycheck
  • Any eligible vacation accrual payout

Any outstanding balance remaining after these offsets may be subject to additional recovery actions.