Disability
Disability coverage provides an income replacement benefit in the event you miss work due to an accident or illness, and are unable to work due to a temporary or permanent disability. Coverage is offered through Reliance Standard. When you are making your benefit election, it is recommended that you consider how long you would be able to pay your bills without a continuous income should you not be able to work.
Employees are eligible to enroll in Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, or both.
Premium Information: daltonpublicschoolsbenefits.com/rates
Important Documents: daltonpublicschoolsbenefits.com/resources
The disability plan includes a pre-existing conditions limitation. A pre-existing condition is a condition for which the employee has received treatment, consultation, care or services during the 3 months immediately prior to the employee’s effective date of disability insurance. Benefits are not paid for a disability caused by/contributed to by a pre-existing condition until the end of 12 months from the employee’s effective date of insurance.
Important Notes
Short Term Disability Plan
- Pays on the 15th day after accident or sickness begins
- Maximum Benefit Period: 90 Days
- Benefit Amount: Up to 60% of earnings paid weekly to a max of $1,250 per week (minimum $25 per week)
Long Term Disability Plan
- Pays on the 91st day after accident or sickness begins
- Maximum Benefit Period: To age 65 or Social Security Normal Retirement Age
- Benefit Amount: Up to 60% of earnings to a max of $5,000 per month (minimum $100 per Month)
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion
A pre-existing condition is a sickness or physical condition for which you have been diagnosed or treated during the immediate 3 months prior to your coverage effective date.
You may elect up to the maximum benefit as a new hire with no health questions. Future increases in coverage will be subject to the pre-existing condition limitation.
Short Term Disability Example - Normal Delivery (Pregnancy)
In this example, the employee has had STD coverage for over a year, and the employee has 18 sick days.
- Delivery Date: November 1
- Approved Short-Term Disability Benefit: 6 weeks
- Elimination Period (no STD benefit): November 1 – November 14
- Sick Days Used: November 1 – November 26
- STD Benefit Begins: November 27
- Benefit Duration: Through December 13
Personal Leave
Effective July 1, 2026, Georgia law allows eligible teachers and other school personnel to use up to five days of accumulated sick leave each school year for personal and professional reasons.
This is an increase from the previous limit of three days, but it does not provide additional leave. This change is simply allowing five days to be used as personal instead of three.
Employees must have sufficient accrued sick leave in order to use time as personal leave. If you do not have any sick leave, you would not have the ability to take personal days.
Employees must also obtain prior approval in accordance with district procedures and policies.
