An important part of financial planning for yourself and your family is planning for unforeseeable injury or illness. Part of this planning includes ensuring your financial stability through disability insurance. UC offers three disability plans to eligible employees to help protect you against a loss of income due to a pregnancy or a disabling injury or illness. You are eligible for the Short-Term and Voluntary Short-Term and/or Long-Term Disability Plans if you are eligible for Full Benefits, Mid-Level, or Core Benefits.
UC-Paid Short-Term Basic Disability Insurance
The Short-Term Disability Plan is paid by the University of California and all eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the plan. The plan pays 55% of salary up to $800 per month for up to 6 months for qualifying claims.
See the Basic Disability Benefits Summary for more information about this plan.
Voluntary Short-Term and/or Long-Term Disability Insurance
The Voluntary Disability Plan is a voluntary plan that supplements the Short-Term Disability Plan. To have this extra financial benefit, you pay the cost of Voluntary Short-Term and/or Long-Term Disability. The plan provides up to 60% of your eligible earnings, to a maximum benefit of $15,000 per month.
Short-Term only - You'll be covered after a 14-day waiting period, but only for up to six months. You'll need to use up to 22 sick days, if you have them, before benefits begin. See the Voluntary Short-Term Disability Benefits Summary for information about this plan.
Long-Term only - You'll be covered after six months, until your Social Security retirement age for most conditions. See the Voluntary Long-Term Disability Benefits Summary for detailed information about this plan.
Cost of Voluntary Disability Insurance
The cost of Voluntary Disability Insurance depends on your monthly salary, age, and level of coverage you choose (short-term, long-term, or both). Use the Disability Insurance Premium Calculator for an estimate of your monthly premiums.
Restricted Enrollment
If you are eligible for the Voluntary Short-Term and/or Long-Term Disability plan, you may enroll online during your period of initial eligibility (PIE). Your PIE starts on the first day of eligibility (for example, the day you begin work in a position that makes you eligible for Voluntary Disability insurance). The PIE ends 31 days later.
If you wish to enroll after your PIE has expired, you may only enroll by submitting an Evidence of Insurability application (which includes a Statement of Health) to the insurance company. The insurance company may or may not approve your enrollment, so it is very important to consider enrolling in this plan during your initial PIE when you are first eligible.
Initiating a Disability Claim
To initiate a disability claim, contact benefits@ucmerced.edu and request a Disability Packet at least 30 days prior to your anticipated disability leave begin date or immediately for unforeseeable disability leaves. You will be expected to provide medical information from your doctor to the insurance company in order for your claim to be processed.
California State Disability Insurance
UC does not participate in the California SDI program. Instead it offers the Short-Term Disability Plan to help protect you against a loss of income due to a disability. If you have worked for UC less than 18 months, you may be eligible for California State Disability Insurance due to your previous employment. Check with the California State Employment Development Department for application and procedures.
Note: If you qualify for California State Disability Insurance (SDI), you should not only submit a claim for SDI benefits but also submit a disability claim for your UC short-term and/or voluntary disability insurance plans.