Disability Income Plan
The Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System provides disability coverage to all employees with at least one year of contributing service.
Short-Term Disability
Employees who are unable to perform the functions of the position due to a physical or mental illness may apply for Short-Term Disability. This benefit includes a 60-day unpaid waiting period, during which the employee may exhaust any available sick or vacation leave. Following the waiting period, the employee will be paid a monthly benefit equal to 50% of 1/12 of annual salary for an absence of up to 12 months. At the end of the Short-Term period, if the employee is unable to return to work, he/she may file for either Extended Short-Term Disability (payable up to 12 additional months) or, if eligible, Long-Term Disability.
Long-Term Disability
If an employee completes the first 12 months of Short-Term Disability and is certified by a medical professional to be incapacitated for an undetermined amount of time, the employee may be eligible for Long-Term Disability. Longevity pays 65% of instead of 50% but is offset by payments from Social Security disability entitlement and will remain in effect until the employee is eligible for unreduced retirement.
Disability Income PlanDisability Handbook 2019
Disability Income Plan – NC Frequently Asked Questions