BYU Disability Benefits

Brigham Young University provides disability benefits for full-time employees who are unable to work due to an illness, injury, or disability. For questions, to apply, or for additional information please contact the Leaves Manager at 801-422-4496 or leavesoffice@byu.edu.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY

Full time staff who are away from work due to illness, injury, or surgery for a period exceeding 7 calendar days may be eligible for the University’s short-term disability benefit. Employees must submit a Request for Short-term Disability Leave form, including a doctor’s note, and meet eligibility requirements as set forth in the plan to qualify. The first seven calendar days are a waiting period with short-term disability beginning on the later of either the eighth day or the completion of the requirements for participation under the short-term disability plan; accrued sick leave may be used during this waiting period. If sick leave runs out or is not available, then vacation leave may be used.

• This paid leave benefit will pay two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the employee’s regular compensation, for the lesser of 45 calendar days, until the employee is able to return to work, or the employee qualifies for long-term disability (whichever occurs first).
• Employees will continue to have medical insurance, retirement, taxes, and other approved deductions taken out of their paycheck while on short-term disability.
• Employees receiving short-term disability payments do not receive holiday pay.
• Employees may not supplement this benefit with sick or vacation leave, but may choose to use any or all of their accrued leave (in full day increments) for full pay prior to switching to short-term disability.
• Once an employee obtains short term disability, the employee may not use sick or vacation pay until the short-term disability benefit has been exhausted.
• Short-term disability may not be used for intermittent leave or partial work days
• After 45 consecutive calendar days the employee may be eligible for long-term disability. However, the employee may begin the long-term disability application process at any time.
• Employees may not work during the time they are on short-term disability, nor may they work while applying for or receiving long-term disability benefits, unless it is part of a partial long-term disability return to work process.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Full-time employees who are unable to perform at least 70% their regular job duties for more than 45 continuous days due to illness, injury, or disability documented by objective medical evidence may qualify for Long-term disability benefits.

For additional information on the Long-term Disability plan please see the Disability Plan Summary Plan Description available at dmba.com. To apply for disability benefits contact the Leaves Manager at 801-422-4496 or leavesoffice@byu.edu. The leaves manager will provide an application and assistance in the application process.

HOW TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS

Please contact the Leaves Manager at 801-422-4496 or leavesoffice@byu.edu.

RETURN TO WORK FROM DISABILITY

When you are on short-term disability or long-term disability leave, BYU does require a Physician’s release to be completed by your health care provider and returned to the office of the Leaves Manager at least a week prior to your desired return to work date. Receiving this completed form helps us understand if there are any work restrictions or shift adjustments needed to support your recovery as you transition back to work.

Disability Policy
Disability Procedures

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• When can I start using short-term disability?

If an employee becomes ill or injured and cannot perform the duties of his or her job, he or she may apply for the short-term disability benefit. Short-term disability benefits will begin after a 7 day waiting period. The employee may use accrued sick/vacation for the waiting period.

• Do my normal payroll deductions continue while I am on short-term disability?

Yes. Payroll deductions will continue including medical, dental, retirement savings, and other approved deductions.

• What if I do not want to use short-term disability?

You do not have to use short-term disability. If you have sick or vacation leave accrued these hours may be used instead.

• What if my illness, surgery, injury or disability will prevent me from working for more than 45 calendar days?

If your leave will last more than 45 calendar days you should fill out the long-term disability paperwork. Failure to submit the long-term disability paperwork well in advance of need could result in a delay in payment and other complications. Work with the university’s Leaves Manager (2-4716) on specifics.

• Can I use my Sick/Vacation Leave to supplement my short-term disability?

No. Employees cannot supplement their short-term disability leave with sick and vacation.

• Are the qualifications the same for long-term disability as for short-term disability?

No. Not all short-term disability illnesses or injuries are covered under the long-term disability benefit. Check with the university’s Leaves Manager about your specific needs.

• Will I be paid for Holidays that fall within the time of my short-term or long-term disability leave?

Employees receiving short and/or long-term disability payments do not receive holiday pay.

• Will I receive my full pay while I am on short or long-term disability?

Short-term disability - No. This paid leave benefit will pay two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the employee’s regular compensation, for the lesser of 45 calendar days, until the employee is able to return to work, or the employee qualifies for long-term disability (whichever occurs first).
Long-term disability – No. If approved, this paid leave benefit will pay two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the employee’s regular compensation, beginning after the 45 calendar day waiting period and continue for as long as the employee qualifies for the benefit.

• May I work while I am receiving short or long-term disability benefits?

No. Employees may not work during the time they are on short-term disability, nor may they work while applying for or receiving long-term disability benefits, unless it is part of a partial long-term disability return to work process.

• Can I use short or long-term disability intermittently?

No. Short or long-term disability may not be used for intermittent leave or partial work days.

• What if I have another disability illness or injury and need to use short-term disability again?

Employees may use a maximum of 90 calendar days of benefit (including the waiting period) during a rolling 12-month period.

• Should I just return to work once I feel well enough to work?

No. An employee returning to work from disability leave must provide a Physician’s release to the university’s Leaves Manager to return to work.

• Will I accrue Sick and Vacation while I am on short or long-term disability?

Short-term disability - Yes. Employees continue to accrue sick and vacation hours based on the sick/vacation policy.
Long-term disability – No. Employees do not continue to accrue sick and vacation hours while on long-term disability as per the sick/vacation policy.

For more information, please see DMBA.com or contact the Leaves Manager (801-422-4496) with any other questions or clarifications.

Return to the Employee Benefits page.