Instead of receiving long-term disability benefits, you may choose to use all of your accumulated sick leave, vacation leave or any other salary continuation provided by your employer. This election will not extend the first 36 consecutive months of the longterm disability period. If you elect to receive salary continuation for any part of a given day, this election will take the place of any short-term benefit that would have been payable for that day. An election to receive a lump-sum payment for vacation leave is treated as if you had exhausted the leave and is in lieu of any long-term benefits otherwise payable.