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Disability Benefits: Payment Process
As a state of Ohio employee, there is no cost to you for disability leave benefits. Each state agency pays a percentage of its payroll into the disability fund. For more information regarding the payment process, please refer to Ohio Administrative Code 123:1-33-05.
Waiting Period
The waiting period shall begin the day the disabling illness, injury or condition prevents you from performing the duties of your position.
- If your claim is approved you must serve a mandatory 14* consecutive calendar day waiting period before you can receive disability leave benefits.
*Contract exceptions for length of waiting period - Attorney General, FOP 46 and FOP 48 - please refer to your contract.
- You may use your leave time (sick, personal or vacation) to receive pay during the waiting period. This time will not be restored.
Payment of Disability Leave Benefits
Disability leave benefits shall be paid at 70 percent of the employee’s base rate of pay for three* months. The remaining time shall be paid at 50 percent regardless of whether the employee files a new, subsequent-related or subsequent-unrelated claim.
*Contract exceptions for length of lifetime maximum effective percentage paid at what month - Attorney General Office, FOP 45, FOP 46, FOP 48; State Treasurer 55 - please refer to your contract.
Payment of Disability Retirement Benefits
If an employee is approved for disability retirement benefits, the employee shall receive:
- The retirement benefit; and
- A supplement that brings your benefits up to what you have received from the disability leave program and is only available until you reach the lifetime maximum**.
**Contract exceptions for length of lifetime maximum - Attorney General Office, FOP 45, FOP 46, FOP 48; State Treasurer 55 - please refer to your contract.
Payment of Retirement System Contributions
For the first three months of disability leave, the employee shall pay their share of retirement contributions. After the first three months of disability leave benefits, the state shall pay the employee’s and employer’s share of retirement contributions.
Payment of Insurance Premiums
The employer’s and employee’s share of the health, life and other insurance benefits will be paid by the employer during the period the employee is pending and receiving disability leave benefits.
Supplementation of Benefits
An employee receiving disability leave benefits may supplement the disability leave benefits with accumulated sick, personal and vacation leave balances to receive up to 100 percent of pay.
Recovery of Improperly Paid Benefits
The director shall initiate all necessary steps to recover disability leave benefits or insurance premiums paid in error or paid as a result of fraud, or to make any needed adjustments. The director shall request the attorney general to take appropriate action to recover improperly paid benefits or insurance premiums. |
