Ordinary Disability Benefits

Ordinary Disability benefits are provided to employees who become disabled as the result of any cause other than an accidental injury incurred while performing job duties.

Amount of Ordinary Disability Benefits
Ordinary Disability benefits are based upon your salary on the date of injury or illness. Salary increases granted after you become disabled do not increase your disability benefit unless the salary increase is retroactive to the date of injury or illness.

The Ordinary Disability benefit equals 50% of your annual salary at the date of injury or illness. This benefit is calculated on a per day basis and disbursed monthly. The Ordinary Disability benefit begins 30 days after the last day worked. Although you will not receive an Ordinary Disability benefit during the first 30 days, you can use your available vacation and/or sick time from your employer as compensation.

Time Period to Receive Ordinary Disability Benefits
The Ordinary Disability benefit is payable until you are able to return to work and as long as you have disability credit. Disability credit is 25% of your total service up to a maximum of five years. Any service for which pension deductions have been paid is considered credit for disability purposes except other periods of ordinary disability. An employee whose disability continues after the exhaustion of the ordinary disability credit, and who withdraws from service while still so disabled, is entitled to receive an annuity regardless of age.

Required “Leave of Absence” for Ordinary Disability
You must obtain an approved leave of absence (“LOA”) from your department in order to remain recognized as a City or Board of Education employee. Furthermore, you must extend this LOA every three months. Each LOA extension will have a specific expiration date. Only your department can process your LOA; however, you must submit a copy of each approved LOA to the Fund in order to receive ordinary disability payments.