Disability insurance and unemployment insurance
Disability
If you have a non-work-related illness or injury and become unable to work for an extended period, the County offers disability benefits that partially replace your salary while you are away under certain circumstances.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI)
The State of California SDI program provides income replacement for eligible employees, due to their non-work-related illnesses or injuries, pregnancies, or childbirth.
The State Disability Insurance program pays weekly benefits ranging from $50, up to $1,540. The benefit paid is based on the highest wages earned during one quarter in a 12-month base period, up to a maximum benefit amount. An employee's claim may begin when their doctor certifies that the disability prevents them from doing regular or customary job duties. Depending on the type of disability claim, the benefit may be paid for up to 52 weeks The State of California makes all benefits and eligibility determinations.
To learn more about eligibility and benefits covered through California SDI, go to www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/About_DI.htm.
There may be a seven-day waiting period for disability benefits to commence. Employees may use sick leave and/or vacation time during this period. Then, employees may integrate state disability insurance with remaining sick leave and vacation balances. One advantage of doing so is that an employee may be paid as close to or equal to their regular pay while away from work, depending on that employee's salary.
Paid Family Leave (PFL)
Paid Family Leave Plan is a part of California’s SDI program. PFL provides up to eight weeks of partial pay to employees who take time away from work to bond with a new child (including newly fostered and adopted children) or to care for a seriously ill family member. The state pays a percentage of an employee’s eligible salary. The minimum weekly benefit is $50; the maximum weekly benefit is $1,540.
Note: Pregnancy disability claims for most employees are covered under California’s SDI program. The typical disability period for a normal pregnancy is up to four weeks before your expected delivery date and up to six weeks (for normal delivery) or eight weeks (for Cesarean section) after the actual delivery. Following a pregnancy disability period, and employee may also be eligible to take an additional six weeks of leave through the California Paid Family Leave program. To learn more about PFL, go to: www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/Paid_Family_Leave.htm.
Long-Term Disability Insurance (provided by the Standard Insurance Company)
Most active hourly and salaried employees working one-half time or more per week are eligible for long-term disability coverage. This is a voluntary benefits plan - you pay the full premium cost for this coverage.
Unemployment insurance
The Employee Benefits Department administers the mandated Unemployment Insurance program which provides weekly unemployment insurance payments to qualified workers no longer employed by the County. Individuals who are unemployed or working part-time can apply to the State for unemployment insurance benefits. Specifically, claimants must be:
- Out of work due to no fault of their own
- Physically able to work
- Actively seeking work
- Ready to accept work
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