[DAS_Centralized_PERS_Services_Team] PERS disability & leave time usage

[TOBIASSON Shauna M * DAS]

HR & Payroll,

The purpose of this message is to provide you with some information on PERS disability and how it can be impacted by employees using paid leave.

Let's begin with a quick overview of how the disability application process works-

1.     Employee stops working and anticipates being disabled for at least 90 consecutive days

2.     Employee contacts PERS and requests a disability retirement application packet

3.     Upon receipt of the completed application, PERS begins gathering information from the employee's physician, employer, and possibly workers comp and insurance companies. Payroll/HR- this is when you receive the "Disability Information Request" from CPERS as we coordinate this on PERS' behalf.

4.      Once PERS has all the information gathered, the PERS medical advisor reviews the information and makes a recommendation to the PERS executive director for approval or denial.

5.     The employee receives notice of approval or denial.
When approved, benefits are effective the first of the month following the last month in which the employee received salary from their employer.

PERS will not pay any benefits until the employee has been physically off the job for 90 consecutive days. After the 90-day period, if no wages have been paid by the employer (excluding comp time and vacation pay off), PERS benefits are paid retroactive to the effective disability retirement date.

Employees will not receive any pay from PERS for months that paid leave is coded on their timesheet- even one hour. Benefits would begin the first of the month following receiving any pay from the employer. The member can apply while on paid leave, but cannot receive any benefit until they are no longer being paid by their employer.

Note- PERS does not count vacation/comp time payoff's as salary during the disability period, but being paid for the use of sick or vacation time does count as salary and may impact the employee's disability benefit.

For a thorough overview of the disability application process and benefits for Tier 1&2, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/pers/HLP/Pages/Applying-for-Disability-Benefits-Tier-OneTier-Two-Members.aspx

For a thorough overview of the disability application process and benefits for OPSRP, please visit http://www.oregon.gov/pers/HLP/Pages/Applying-for-Disability-Benefits-OPSRP-Members.aspx


As always, please don't hesitate to contact your CPERS Analyst<mailto:Central.PERSServicesTeam at oregon.gov> if you need assistance.

Thank you,

DAS Centralized PERS Services Team
https://www.oregon.gov/das/Financial/Payroll/Pages/cpers.aspx



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