Long Term Disability

Policy

In addition to Sick Leave for short, occasional absences and Extended Sick Leave (ESL) for temporary disabilities, Loyola University New Orleans provides Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage at no out-of-pocket cost to the employee. This insurance coverage provides full-time employees with a measure of financial security if they should become disabled and no longer able to work. Employees should contact a Human Resources Benefits Specialist when considering a leave of absence that may qualify under Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or any disability benefit as circumstances are different for each disability case.

Procedure

LTD coverage coordinates with other sources of disability income (such as Social Security) to ensure a percentage of the employee’s compensation in cases where they are unable to work for more than 90 calendar days. The plan pays a monthly benefit of 60% of pre-disability earnings up to a maximum of $10,000. Claims for LTD benefits must be filed within one year from the initial date of illness.

Any unused accrued sick leave is not payable after an approved FMLA leave expires. If LTD is approved, LTD benefits will be paid instead of sick, vacation or extended sick leave after the 90th calendar day.The Loyola Extended Sick Leave (ESL) benefit stops on the 90th calendar day independent of LTD determination.

When FMLA expires on calendar day 84, the employee may request and the immediate supervisor may recommend to the Vice President of the employee’s division based on legitimate work/staffing considerations that the position be held open for a specified period of time not to exceed an additional 90 days in expectation of the employee returning to work. The employee will be required to submit a doctor’s written prognosis to Human Resources indicating that he/she is expected to recover within the additional 90 days.

If the employee cannot return to work at the end of the approved FMLA leave period, employment will be terminated. Medical insurance continuation is available through COBRA. More information about the LTD benefit, including choices concerning tax treatment of the coverage is provided in the Loyola University New Orleans Benefits Guide or the Summary Plan Description for Long Term Disability coverage.