HR : Faculty and Staff

Short Term Disability

The Cornell Short Term Disability benefit provides income protection in the event of a short term disability, where the injury or illness is not work-related.

Eligibility
To be eligible for this benefit, you must:

be employed for at least 4 weeks by Cornell, or worked 4 or more consecutive weeks elsewhere in New York and be re-employed with Cornell within 4 weeks from the last day previously worked in New York;
be absent from work for 5 consecutive work days;
provide proper medical certification of disability from a licensed New York medical provider, both at the start of disability, and via periodic medical certification if the absence from work is lengthy. Cornell may seek independent medical verification of your disability as a condition of continuing your benefits;
be a regular full-time or part-time nonacademic Cornell employee;
temporary, non-benefit employees must meet the same criteria as above; however, the benefit is limited to the weekly rate as per current New York law;
Cornell Cooperative Extension Association employees are not covered under the Cornell Short Term Disability plan.

Benefits
You are eligible to receive the following:

permission to use sick time for the first 5 work days of disability related absence;
after the first five days, you receive 50% of your base pay for the time you are medically approved as disabled from work, to a maximum of 26 weeks in any 52 weeks period (the first date of absence begins the 52 week period);
permission to use sick leave and vacation time to supplement your 50% pay;
if your supervisor, your medical provider and you agree, you may return to work part-time for up to 19 hours per week at full pay, and receive 50% pay for the time not worked. Leave accruals may still be used to supplement this partial disability time.

Working Elsewhere
The New York State Disability law is a total disability program, which says that you cannot work for wages elsewhere when you are disabled and receiving benefits from Cornell. Any outside employment requires the express written authorization from Cornell.
Returning to Work
Once your disability has ended, you must be medically certified to return to your job. This will require you to present a medical note from your physician to your supervisor that you are able to resume your job. This note must be presented either before your return or on the day you return. Cornell may seek independent medical verification of your ability to return to work.
Supportive Policies
The University has two specific supportive policies that assist employees with their short term disabilities:

Your own job will be held for you for up to 6 months from the date of your disability
You and your department/supervisor can arrange a part-time light duty work program at Cornell while you are in recovery and rehabilitation.

Administration of Short Term Disability
To start the payment of benefits, your department must receive your medical certification of disability during your first week of absence. This permits them to do an HR Online transaction putting you on short term disability. Medical Leaves Administration at 840 Hanshaw Road receives a copy of this transaction, your claim for benefits begins, and claim forms and information is sent to your home. It is your responsibility to:

Promptly notify your department and supply them with a medical certification of disability; and
Complete all forms received from Medical Leaves Administration and return them; and
Be sure that you provide continuing medical reports of your disability when required by Medical Leaves Administration.

More Information

Employee Essentials