Short-Term Disability (STD)

In compliance with New York State law and acknowledging that employees may face illnesses or injuries requiring extended absences, Adelphi University provides paid short-term disability leave to eligible employees (excluding faculty). This benefit covers non-occupational illnesses or injuries that extend beyond the elimination period of five consecutive working days, and offers up to 26 weeks of paid leave at 50% of your eligible earnings.

Eligibility

• All nonunion and public safety employees: Eligible after four consecutive weeks of employment or 20 days of employment. Coverage continues for four consecutive weeks after termination of employment.
• Union employees: Covered under the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

What Qualifies as a Short-Term Disability?

A short-term disability exists when an employee is:

1. Absent from work for five (5) consecutive working days or more due to illness or injury
2. Under the care of a physician

Eligible employees are entitled to receive 50% salary for a maximum period of up to 26 weeks with proper medical evidence of such illness or injury.

How Will Your Salary Be Affected?

• Full salary is paid for the first five days using available sick time.
• Starting from the sixth consecutive day, 50% disability pay is provided.
• Sick, personal, or accrued vacation time may be used to supplement the remaining 50%.
• Once all time is exhausted, only 50% disability pay will be issued.

Filing a Claim

1. Notify the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible: As soon as you know you will be absent for five or more consecutive working days due to illness or injury, contact Human Resources to initiate the claim process.
2. Contact New York Life: After notifying Human Resources, call New York Life at 888.842.4462 to set up your short-term disability claim.
3. Coordination with New York Life:
   • New York Life will immediately notify Adelphi of your claim.
   • They will contact your physician to obtain the necessary medical information, which will determine the duration of your disability and your return-to-work options.
4. Decision and Payment:
   • Once New York Life has gathered the required medical information and approves your claim, they will notify Adelphi University of the claim’s duration.
   • Your short-term disability payments will then be processed through Adelphi’s payroll.

If eligible, Adelphi will send a Family Medical Leave letter to inform you that, upon approval of the disability claim, the leave will also be designated as Family Medical Leave.

Required Forms

To facilitate your claim, please complete and return the following forms to the Office of Human Resources:

• FMLA – Notice of Employees Rights and Obligations: Sign and return this form to the Office of Human Resources.
• FMLA – Request for Family and Medical Leave of Absence: Have your manager sign this form, then sign it yourself, and return it to the Office of Human Resources.
• FMLA – Certification of Health Care Provider: Have your doctor complete this form and return it to the Office of Human Resources.

Additional Resources

Union Employees

Union employees are covered under the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Full-time faculty can learn more about parental and maternity leave provided through the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Adjunct Faculty

What Qualifies as a Short-Term Disability?

A short-term disability exists when an employee is absent from work due to illness/injury and is under the care of a physician.

There is a seven-day waiting period for which no benefits are paid. Benefits begin on the eighth consecutive day of disability. A “day of disability” is a day on which you were prevented from performing work because of disability. You are ineligible for disability benefits if you perform any type of work for which you receive wages or profit, even if performed at home.

Eligibility and STD Coverage for Adjuncts

• Requirement: Current employment as Adjunct Faculty for at least 30 days
• Benefit Amount: 50% of current weekly wages up to a maximum of $600 per week
• Maximum Benefit Period: Thirteen (13) weeks
• Waiting Period: Seven (7) consecutive days

Filing a Claim as an Adjunct

1. Notify the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible: As soon as you know you will be absent for five or more consecutive working days due to illness or injury, contact Human Resources to initiate the claim process.
2. Notify your department (Chair or Dean): Advise them of your leave and to be paid any accrued sick time for the elimination period—the seven (7) scheduled working calendar days following the start of disability.
3. Contact Sun Life: After notifying Human Resources, you will need to initiate a claim by creating one online at your Sun Life Account or by calling 800.247.6875.
4. Coordination with Sun Life: 
   • Once it is established that a claim for disability exists, Sun Life will contact your physician to get the appropriate medical information. This discussion determines the length of the disability and the return-to-work options.
   • Once approved, Sun Life pays the adjunct faculty member directly and removes them from Adelphi University’s payroll.
5. Payment Process: Once the claim is approved, Sun Life will pay the adjunct faculty member directly and remove them from Adelphi University’s payroll.

Additional Resources for Adjunct Faculty