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Human Resources

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UC Disability Benefits

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UC Paid Basic Disability

The plan provides up to 55 percent of your eligible monthly earnings, to a maximum benefit of $800 per month, for up to six months. You will be covered after a 14-calendar-day waiting period, but you are required to use up to 22 business days of sick time, if available, before disability benefits begin. UC pays the full cost of coverage, and you are automatically enrolled. Your Basic Disability income is generally taxable. Your disability benefits provide income to replace lost wages. 

Types of Disability

Short Term Disability 

You will be covered after a 14-calendar-day waiting period, but only for six months. Per UC Policy, you must exhaust up to 22 business days of sick time if available before disability benefits begin.

Long Term Disability

You will be covered after a 14-calendar-day waiting period, but only for six months. Per UC Policy, you must exhaust up to 22 business days of sick time if available before disability benefits begin.

Short & Long Term Disability 

You will be covered after a 14-calendar-day waiting period, but only for six months. Per UC Policy, you must exhaust up to 22 business days of sick time if available before disability benefits begin.

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How to Enroll

Enrollment in UC Paid Basic Disability Insurance is automatic for eligible employees. Newly-hired employees are given a 31-day period of initial eligibility (PIE) to enroll in employee paid Voluntary Short—and/or Long-Term Disability. Select the coverage during your Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE). After the PIE, enrollment requires submitting an Evidence of Insurability application to the plan provider. The plan provider will determine eligibility. 

To add a newborn child, the employee must log into the UCPath Portal > Employee Actions > Health and Welfare, Life Events/Beneficiaries to enroll the newborn child or, you may access the Health Benefits Enrollment Form for Life Event at UCPath Portal > Forms Library > Access Forms > Health Benefits Enrollment for Life Event.

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Premium Estimator

In order to use the Premium Estimator, you will be asked to provide the following information:

  • Date of birth
  • Annual eligible earnings, based on your percentage appointment.
    • Example: if you have a 50 percent FTE appointment with an annual salary of $80,000, your annual eligible earnings would be $40,000.)
  • Were you hired on or after July 1, 2013 or are you in a position that is not eligible for the UC Retirement Plan?
  • Eligible earnings do not include pay such as stipends, shift differentials, overtime, agreement payments, compensation for extension teaching and summer salary (academics only).

Premium costs depend on your monthly salary, age and the level of coverage you choose (short-term, long-term or both).

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Information About Disability Benefits

  • Continuous physician care is required.
  • Must meet the applicable definition of disability for Basic, Voluntary Short-Term or Voluntary Long-Term benefits.
  • Basic and/or Voluntary Short Term Disability benefits begin after a 14 calendar day waiting period; however, UC Policy requires employees to exhaust up to 22 business days of sick hours if available.
  • Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse related benefits are usually limited to a 24-month lifetime maximum through Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance.
  • If you are eligible for disability benefits through workers’ compensation, California SDI, Social Security, UCRP, or other sources, they will be coordinated with your Basic and/or Voluntary Disability benefits.
  • UC does not participate in California State Disability Insurance (SDI).
    • Note: Employees who have worked for UC for less than 18 months may have residual SDI benefits.
    • Employees are required to apply for SDI who have worked less than 18 months at UC when applying for disability benefits through Lincoln Financial Group.
  • Guide to Filing for Disability Benefits - this is a helpful resource, provided by Lincoln Financial Group, for employees who are filing for disability benefits.
  • How to File for Disability Checklist.
  • How to file for Pregnancy Disability Checklist.
  • Postdocs Disability Application Process