Short-term disability benefits may be extended for a maximum of 365 days beyond the short-term period in cases where the Retirement Systems’ Medical Board finds that the disability is ongoing but is likely to end during the extended period. You must complete an application for extended short-term disability benefits and forward the application and the appropriate medical documentation to the Retirement Systems Division. Extended short-term disability benefits are paid by the Retirement Systems Division.

The Retirement Systems Division recommends you file an application for extended short-term disability benefits 60-90 days prior to the end of your short-term/preliminary long-term disability benefits to prevent any lapse in benefit or health insurance coverage (if applicable). 

The same eligibility requirements, benefit calculations, offsets and earnings restrictions that apply to short-term disability benefits also apply to extended short-term disability benefits. 

Your monthly extended short-term disability benefit is equal to 50 percent of 1/12 of the annual base salary that you received right before the short-term benefit period. This includes longevity and local supplements, if any, and may be increased by any permanent across-the-board salary increase granted to employees of the State by the General Assembly. This benefit is subject to a monthly maximum of $3,000 and also subject to certain offsets or reductions for benefits received from other disability programs.

Example of Extended Short-Term Disability Benefit