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Layoff Status

(official university layoff status for nonacademic staff members equals a period of up to one year from the effective date of layoff)

Nonacademic staff members are entitled to a continuation of certain benefits provided they met the eligibility requirements for each specific benefit at the time of their layoff.

Auto, Home and Pet Insurance
Coverage may be continued through direct billing. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Auto, Home & Pet Insurance.

Disabilities
Short Term Disability and/or Workers' Compensation coverage will continue if you are placed on layoff status while on Short Term Disability or Workers' Compensation. You are NOT eligible for Long Term Disability. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Disabilities.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)
Staff members on university layoff status under Policy 6.12, Separations, are eligible to use FSAP services during the layoff period.

Educational Benefits

  • Cornell Children's Tuition Scholarship (CCTS)
    CCTS will continue through the term in which your layoff commences and continue for one additional academic term. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Cornell Children's Tuition Scholarship (CCTS).
  • Employee Degree Program (EDP)
    If you are enrolled in the Employee Degree Program at the time of your layoff, you are eligible to enroll for up to eight (8) credit hours, continuing in the program through the end of the semester in which your layoff period ends.
    You are also permitted to apply to the university for acceptance into an undergraduate or graduate degree program while on layoff status. Funding through EDP will cease at the end of your one-year layoff status if you do not return to the university in a full-time position before your layoff status ends.
    For program information, see Benefits Programs, Employee Degree Program (EDP).
  • Extramural Study
    You are eligible to enroll for up to six (6) credits per semester for one year from the effective date of your layoff. The combination of Extramural Study and Tuition Aid cannot exceed the total of six (6) credits. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Extramural.
  • Tuition Aid
    You are eligible to enroll for up to six (6) credits per semester for one year from the effective date of your layoff. Maximum is twelve credits for the year. The combination of Extramural Study and Tuition Aid cannot exceed the total of six (6) credits. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Tuition.

Life Insurance
Endowed employees and those contract college employees who are enrolled in ORP will have basic coverage continued at no cost during the year that you are on official layoff status or until you accept employment outside the university. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Group Life Insurance. CIGNA Group Insurance will direct bill all employees who have GUL coverage at the same rates as those of an active employee.

Health Insurance
Endowed: On the effective date of layoff, you are immediately eligible for continuation of health insurance under COBRA, a program that is mandated by federal law. This coverage will continue for as long as you make the same contribution that is required of active staff members. When the layoff period ends, you must assume the full premium (both the employee and the employer portions plus 2% administrative fee), for the remainder of the COBRA eligibility period. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Health Insurance.

Contract College: On a layoff, coverage for health insurance will continue for up to 12 months. You will be billed quarterly by the New York State Department of Civil Service for the employee share only (the same amount that active employees pay). When the layoff period ends, provided you have maintained the coverage by paying your share, the New York State Department of Civil Service will notify you of your right to continue coverage under COBRA. Under COBRA, you will need to pay the full employee and employer share plus a 2% administrative fee. Coverage can be continued on a month-to-month basis for up to 18 months. Depending on your age and years of service, you may have other options for health insurance continuation after your layoff period. Contact Benefit Services at (607) 255-3936 to further discuss these options.

Dental Insurance
Contract College: dental insurance does not continue in layoff status. Your coverage will terminate 28 days past the last day of the biweekly pay period in which you work. You will receive a COBRA continuation notice shortly after your layoff. You are able to continue the GHI Preferred Dental Plan on a month-to-month basis for up to 18 months by enrolling in COBRA through NYS Department of Civil Service.

Endowed: on the effective date of layoff, you are immediately eligible for continuation of the First Ameritas dental insurance through COBRA, a program that is mandated by federal law. Aetna is the COBRA administrator. This coverage will continue for as long as you make the same contribution that is required of active staff members. When the layoff period ends, you must assume the full premium plus 2% administrative fee for the remainder of the COBRA eligibility period. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Health Insurance.

Long Term Care Insurance
You may continue your coverage as described under the Portability section. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Long Term Care Insurance.

Personal Accident Insurance
Coverage may be continued for up to one year from the effective date of layoff. You will be billed in advance for the premium. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Personal Accident Insurance.

Retirement
You will not have any contributions made to retirement accounts by the university or as an employee contribution during your layoff period. If you are a Contract College employee at the time of your layoff and you are a member of the New York State Employees' Retirement System, you will not receive service credit for your period of layoff. For program information, see Benefits Programs, Retirement.

Select Benefits
Medical Care Reimbursement Account: you are eligible to continue your participation under COBRA. You may participate in COBRA for as long as is necessary in order to exhaust any monies remaining in the medical care reimbursement account.

Dependent Care Reimbursement Account: you may continue to remit expenses incurred during the plan year against any unused balance until the funds are exhausted or the plan year ends, whichever is first. For more program information, see Benefits Programs, Select Benefits.

New York's College Savings Program
Employees using payroll deduction for contribution to a New York's College Savings Program account should contact UPromise at (800) 420-8580 to make alternate arrangements.

Updated: 2/16/09

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