Virginia Sickness and Disability Program
The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) administers the Virginia Sickness & Disability Program (VSDP) in conjunction with the Department of Human Resource Management and Unum, a third-party vendor that specializes in disability claims management. When you join the state as a full-time or part-time salaried employee, you are automatically enrolled in the VSDP.
Objective
The VSDP provides you with income security when you cannot work because of a partial or total disability. The program includes sick, family and personal leave; short-term disability benefits; long-term disability benefits and a long-term care program. VSDP benefits cover non-work-related and work-related conditions.The VSDP focuses on helping you make a safe return to your full duties following your disability. Return-to-work plans, such as job modifications or vocational/medical rehabilitation, may be developed in consultation with your employer and treating healthcare or medical professional to assist in your recovery and return to your regular schedule.
Questions about your benefits and the claim process
The VSDP Handbook is your resource for information about the services and benefits of the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program. If you think you may qualify for benefits, talk with your supervisor and your benefits administrator as soon as possible to be sure you understand your responsibilities and eligibility for benefits and to go over any questions you may have about initiating a claim.How to Initiate a Claim
You may initiate a claim on the eighth day of your disability or as soon as you know you will be out for a medical condition (such as a scheduled surgery or childbirth). Family members and friends may initiate a claim on your behalf if you are unable to do so.Call Unum toll free at 1-800-652-5602. Have the following information ready when you call:
- Job title and agency
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Current mailing address
- Brief description of disability for which you are initiating a claim
- Last day you were (or will be) able to work
- Name, address, phone number and fax number of your doctor or other licensed treating healthcare professional
You will be notified of the status of your claim within five working days following the date you call Unum.
FAQ
VSDP Leave Accrual
IF you expect to go on short-term disability now or in the future...
IF you have a question or need more information...
IF you aren't completely comfortable with the required procedure...
...contact the VSDP Program Coordinator ASAP! Don't Wait!
| Contact Human Resources | |
| phone: | (703) 993-2600 |
| fax: | (703) 993-2601 |
Common Questions:
- What procedures do I need to follow to file a claim?
- How and when do I become eligible for benefits? What are the benefits?
- How are my sick / family / personal leave hours calculated?
- How many days are allowed for Maternity Leave?
- Am I allowed to receive leave sharing donations if I am enrolled in VSDP?
- I have a question not answered here. Who can I call for help?
Q: What procedures do I need to follow to file a claim? A: You may initiate a claim on the eighth day of your disability or as soon as you know you will be out for a medical condition (such as a scheduled surgery or childbirth). Family members and friends may initiate a claim on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Call Unum toll free at 1-800-652-5602. Have the following information ready when you call:
• Job title and agency
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Current mailing address
• Brief description of disability for which you are initiating a claim
• Last day you were (or will be) able to work
• Name, address, phone number and fax number of your doctor or other licensed treating healthcare professional
You will be notified of the status of your claim within five working days following the date you call Unum.
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Q: How and when do I become eligible for benefits? What are the benefits?
A: VSDP includes short-term and long-term disability benefits. After you have satisfied a seven calendar-day
waiting period, short-term disability benefits are payable during periods of total disability,
partial disability, maternity leave, or periodic absences due to a major
chronic condition, as determined by the VSDP administrator. Short-term
disability benefits provide an income replacement of 60 to 100 percent
of your pay for a maximum of 125 workdays. The exact number of days of
each income replacement percentage depends on your length of state service.
You become eligible for long-term disability payments after you satisfy a 180 calendar-day (26 weeks) waiting period following the commencement of your disability. Long-term disability benefits provide you with an income replacement of 60 percent of your compensation and are payable during periods of total or partial disability.
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Q: How are my sick / family / personal leave hours calculated?
A: Full-time and part-time employees are credited hours differently.
Full-time employees are credited with the following hours on Jan 10th each of year:
Part-time employees are credited with the following hours on Jan 10th each of year:
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Q: How many days are allowed for Maternity Leave?
A: As of 1/1/04, the VRS Board authorizes six weeks (42 calendar days) as the standard allowable period for maternity leave. A physician must certify the need for any longer period of disability. The employee must be eligible for FMLA as defined by the VRS Board. The FMLA runs concurrently with this period of short-term disability.
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Q: Am I allowed to receive leave sharing donations if I am enrolled in VSDP?
A: No. Short-term disability is not considered a leave without pay
situation; therefore, leave sharing is not permitted during short-term disability nor during
the preceding 7-day waiting period.
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Q:I have a question not answered here. Whom can I call for help?
A: Contact the Human Resources and Payroll Department at 703 993 2600.
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