2026 Disability, Sick Leave, and GA Paid Parental Leave

You accumulate “sick leave” days, for which you will receive full pay if you are injured or ill and cannot work. Disability coverage, offered by Voya Financial, provides an income replacement benefit once your sick days are exhausted.

Special Open Enrollment Opportunity! You may elect Short Term Disability and/or Long Term Disability at this time without health questions.

Disability coverage provides an income replacement benefit if you are ill or injured and unable to work.  It is important to consider how long you would be able to pay your bills if you were unable to work.  Short Term Disability replaces your income for a short period of time, and the benefit is payable on day 8 or 31 of your disability, depending on the option selected.  Should you remain disabled beyond that time, the Long Term Disability plan pays from your 181st day of disability until age 65 or Normal Social Security Retirement age. 

 

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Disability Insurance is protection for one of your most important assets: your ability to earn an income. Disabling illnesses and injuries are more common than most of us realize. If you're out of work for weeks or months without an income, how would you pay your regular expenses?  Disability Insurance could provide the security you need and pays in addition to any accrued sick leave.

Short Term Disability Summary of Benefits

Short Term Disability coverage pays an income replacement benefit for a relatively short period of time. Your sick leave must be exhausted prior to the Short Term Disability plan paying a benefit. The STD plan will coordinate with your other deductible income to replace 60% of your annual earnings. Other deductible income includes, but is not limited to other disability benefits, and retirement. Worker’s Compensation claims are not covered for the Short Term Disability plan.

Below is a summary of the Short Term Disability plan options:

Option 1
7-Day Elimination Period / Waiting Period 		Option 2
30-Day Elimination Period / Waiting Period
Benefit Amount
 60% of earnings up to a maximum benefit of $1,000 per week 60% of earnings up to a maximum benefit of $1,000 per week
Benefit Start Date
 Day 8 for accident or illness Day 31 for accident or illness
Maximum Benefit Period
 26 weeks (including elimination period) 26 weeks (including elimination period)

Short-Term Disability Pre-Existing Conditions

The Short Term Disability plan has a pre-existing conditions exclusion for disabilities that begin within the first 12 months of your coverage. A pre-existing condition is a condition for which you have received medical treatment, consultation, or services, including prescription drugs, in the 3 months prior to your effective date. Once you have been insured for 12 months, no limitation applies.

Long Term Disability Summary of Benefits

Long Term Disability coverage provides an income replacement benefit to age 65 or Social Security Normal Retirement Age if you continue to remain disabled and satisfy the definition of disability. The LTD plan will coordinate with your other deductible income to replace 60% of your annual earnings. Other deductible income includes, but is not limited to, Social Security, workers’ compensation, other disability benefits, and retirement.

Below is a summary of the Long Term Disability plan:

Long Term Disability Summary of Benefits
Monthly Benefit Amount
 60% of earnings
Maximum Monthly Benefit
 $5,000 per month
Elimination Period
 180 days
Benefit Duration
 To age 65 or Social Security Normal Retirement Age

Long-Term Disability Pre-Existing Conditions

The Long Term Disability plan includes a pre-existing conditions exclusion for disabilities that begin within the first 12 months of coverage. A pre-existing condition is a sickness or injury for which you have been diagnosed, treated, or prescribed medications during the immediate 6 months prior to your coverage effective date. Once you’ve been insured for 12 months, no restriction applies.

Georgia Paid Parental Leave

Eligible employees are able to take up to 240 hours of paid parental leave within a year of the birth of their child, or within a year after adoption or taking in a minor through foster care. 

Overview:

  • Leave Allowance: Up to 240 hours of paid parental leave in a rolling 12-month period.
  • Multiple Events: The 240 hours are available regardless of the number of qualifying life events within the 12-month period.
  • Accrued Leave: This leave is not deducted from your accrued leave balances.
  • Concurrent Leave: Paid Parental Leave runs concurrently with any applicable federal leave, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
  • Leave Increments: Parental leave may be taken as needed and may be taken in increments of less than eight hours. The smallest increment of parental leave that may be taken is half of a workday. 

Eligibility:

  • Full-Time Salaried Employees: Must have completed six continuous months of employment with the district.
  • Hourly Employees: Must have worked at least 700 hours in the six months immediately before the first requested paid parental leave date.

Qualifying Events:

  • The birth of the employee’s child.
  • The placement of a minor child with the employee for adoption.
  • The placement of a minor child with the employee for foster care.
  • For more detailed information or to apply for paid parental leave, please contact the HR department.

Non-Medical Enrollment and Questions:
(877) 395-4741

Medical Enrollment and Questions:
(800) 610-1863

General Questions:

benefits@baldwincountyschoolsbenefits.com

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