Short Term Disability

Poly Party Short Term Disability Plan

Weekly Indemnity (WI) benefits (or short-term disability benefits) may be paid by Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) when a continuing employee is disabled and prevented from working as a result of a non-occupational accident or illness. Upon submission of a completed claim, PBC will review each claim on the basis of its merits and determine whether WI is payable on a case by case basis.

WI benefits begin on the first day in case of non-occupational accident or hospitalization, or the third day in case of non-occupational illness. For more detailed information on WI please refer to the SFU/Poly Party Collective Agreement Article 19.1—Sick Leave for Non-Industrial Illness or Accident; and Article 26.1(3) - Weekly Indemnity.

How do I apply for WI?

1. Inform your supervisor that you will be applying for WI so they can submit the Employer’s Statement to PBC.

2. Obtain the following documents from your Supervisor or Forms and Resources page

• Short Term Disability Claim Form - EMPLOYEE
• Short Term Disability Attending Physician’s Statement

3. Complete the Employee’s Statement and submit it to PBC directly.

4. Arrange an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP) or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Have either complete and sign the Short-Term Disability Attending Physician’s Statement. Submit the completed form to PBC immediately.

NOTE: the form must indicate your first day of absence due to this condition. Benefits are payable on the latest of the following:

• The date following completion of the elimination period
• The date you were first seen and treated by a Practitioner, during the period of disability, for your condition.
• Retroactive dates will not be considered.

Important Notes

• It is strongly recommended that you submit both the Employee Statement AND the Attending Physicians Statement via email (to LDforms@pac.bluecross.ca). You will receive an auto-response from PBC that acknowledges receipt of your email. Please retain this email for your records.
• PBC must receive the Employee Statement and Attending Physician’s Statement within 30 days following the end of the Elimination (waiting) period. In cases of non-occupational illness, the waiting period is 2 days. There is no waiting period in cases of non-occupational accidents.
• Your claim will not be adjudicated without your physician’s signature on the Attending Physician’s Statement.

NOTE: PBC will take a minimum of 5 business days to review and adjudicate a COMPLETE claim package (ie., with the Employee Statement, Employer Statement and Attending Physicians Statement).

• Incomplete claim forms or packages may cause a delay in the payment of your benefits or a denial of your claim. PBC may request supplementary reports to update the medical information on file. Any cost for completion of medical reports will be your responsibility.
• The 26-week benefit period is per claim (except for recurrent disability) and If employee returns to work full time/duties for at least 2 weeks, that would reset the benefit period. Salary will be based on the claim (not previously claim as current practice)

FAQ

What happens when I am on WI?

You are paid directly by PBC at 70% of your basic weekly wage rate rounded to the nearest five (5) dollars and you are responsable to pay for your portion of benefits premiums and other deductions not paid while you receive payments from PBC:

• Mandatory deductions: Union dues (contact union office)
• Optional deductions: optional life insurance (contact HR); group RRSP (contact Sun Life); parking (contact Parking Services)
• Monthly premiums for Extended Health benefits, Dental, Basic Life Insurance, Long Term Disability and Weekly Indemnity, in addition to Pension Plan Contributions, are paid 100% by SFU. Payments by SFU will continue for these benefits while you are on WI.

What happens to my pay cheque when I return from WI?

Salaried employees are now paid up to and including the Saturday preceding the Friday pay day.

If you did not pay your portion of your applicable benefit premiums and Union dues, or if you did not cancel your parking deductions while on WI, these charges will automatically be deducted by the system from your first pay cheque upon returning from WI.

If your WI claim goes beyond two months, the Organizational Health & Well-Being team will contact you to arrange monthly payment of any applicable benefit costs. Should you wish to pay for your ongoing benefit costs prior to this point, please contact the Organizational Health & Well-Being team to make the appropriate arrangements.

Do I continue to accrue pension while on WI?

Yes

Do I continue to accrue vacation while on WI?

Yes, but if your unpaid leave exceeds two (2) months in any year, your vacation entitlement for that year will be pro-rated accordingly as per Article 12.1. Vacation entitlement information available to you on myINFO does not automatically reflect this adjustment. If you have questions regarding your vacation entitlement upon your return from WI, please contact your supervisor.

Can I use up my available sick time before applying for WI?

Yes, but members would still need to apply on the 1st or 3rd day as using existing sick time would only apply an offset for any money the SFU may have paid you and would not  change the your “benefit start date”.