Leave Benefit Options

Disability Insurance Programs for Classified Staff

Short-Term Disability for Classified Staff
The Office of Labor Relations is available to answer questions regarding disability insurance programs available to classified staff and to provide application packets to eligible employees who suffer an injury or illness that may make them eligible for disability insurance. Classified staff may be eligible for the following disability insurance program benefits:

• Standard Insurance Short Term Disability Insurance Benefit
  All classified employees are provided short term disability insurance (STD) as employees of the State of Colorado through Standard Insurance Company. There is a minimum 30-day waiting period and the employee’s sick leave balance must be exhausted before becoming eligible for STD. If an employee does not have enough sick leave to cover the 30 day waiting period, annual leave must be used. The maximum length of this insurance is 180 days, including the 30 day waiting period. Standard STD benefits pay 60 percent of a classified employee’s salary for the duration of the benefit.



• Standard Insurance Long Term Disability Insurance Benefit
  Classified employees may also purchase Standard Insurance Long Term Disability Insurance when hired or during open enrollment. Please contact Payroll & Benefit Services for more information.



• Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Short Term Disability and Disability Retirement Insurance Benefit
  PERA provides vested (5 years of service) members with a two-tier disability program: PERA 22 month short term disability (22 month STD) and PERA disability retirement. Classified staff who are vested may be eligible, based upon their medical condition, for either PERA 22 month STD or PERA disability retirement once they exhaust their Standard Insurance 180-day STD. PERA 22 month STD pays up to 60 percent of a vested classified employee’s PERA-covered earnings for a period not to exceed 22 months and provides for retraining and rehabilitation services for members so they may gain future employment. PERA disability retirement is for vested classified employees who become permanently disabled and who are unable to return to the workforce. Standard Insurance Company is the disability program administrator for PERA 22 month STD and PERA disability retirement. Employees may contact PERA for more information.
  
  

  Colorado PERA