FAQs

 

 

 

What is the Industrial Disability Leave (IDL) Program?

 

The IDL Program is a wage continuation program in lieu of Workers’ Compensation Temporary Disability (TD) benefits for active California State University (CSU) employees who have suffered a work related injury or illness. Employees deemed eligible for this benefit also must be members of the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) or the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS). This is a benefit paid for and administered by the CSU. Employees are not required to pay contributions or enrollment fees in order to be covered by this benefit.

 

 

Who is eligible for IDL?

 

The IDL Program is applicable to all employees who suffer a disability arising out of or in the course of CSU employment regardless of their period of service may receive IDL benefits if they meet all the following conditions:

1. Is an active member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), and

2. Has a disability which has been verified and accepted by the CSU’s third party administrator (TPA) for workers’ compensation insurance as industrially caused, and

3. Has chosen to receive IDL benefits in lieu of a Workers’ Compensation Temporary Disability benefits or has failed to make a choice within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice of benefit eligibility, and

4. Has been unable to work as result of injury or illness since:

   1. the third calendar day of disability following the day of injury or illness, or

   2. the first day the injured employee leaves work as a result of an injury resulting from a criminal act of violence against the employee, or

   3. the first day of hospitalization, or

   4. the day following the injury if the employee is absent from work for more than 14 calendar days because of the injury.

 

Eligibility shall be contingent upon appropriate medical determination and the agreement of the employee to cooperate and participate in a reasonable vocational rehabilitation plan when furnished by the CSU. 

 

Do I have to pay the premium for IDL insurance?

 

No. This is a benefit paid for and administered by the CSU. Employees are not required to pay contributions or enrollment fees in order to be covered by this benefit

 

 

How long do I have to be employed by the CSU before I can receive IDL?

 

An employee shall become entitled regardless of their period of CSU service to receive IDL payments in lieu of Workers’ Compensation Temporary Disability (TD) payments with/without supplementation of appropriate leave credits.

 

 

What documentation is needed to support my request for IDL?

 

Employee eligibility is contingent upon appropriate medical determination by the third party administrator as to whether an employee’s disability is or is not work-related.  During this period, the employee should be allowed to use sick leave, vacation and/or CTO leave credits.

The employee should also be encouraged to apply for NDI, if eligible. After all leave credits have been exhausted, the individual will be placed on leave without pay status until a determination is reached. If it is determined the disability is job-related and the employee is eligible for IDL or Workers’ Compensation Temporary Disability, appropriate adjustments will be made to the employee’s leave account balance in accordance with the procedures of the particular program selected by the employee.

 

 

How much is the IDL wage supplement?

 

The IDL benefit will be equivalent to the full amount of the injured employee’s salary for the first 22 days of the work related injury or illness (a three day waiting period may apply). Thereafter, IDL benefits will be equivalent to two-thirds of the employee’s salary payable for the next eleven months of disability.

 

 

How will my salary be determined?

 

IDL payments are based on the actual number of work days the disabled employee is absent . An eligible employee may receive IDL payments for a period not to exceed 52 weeks with two (2) years from the first day of disability. The 52-week eligibility period is equivalent to 365 calendar days. A holiday is counted as a work day.

 

 

What is the effective date of coverage?

 

On the date of injury, the disabled employee shall be compensated for the full amount of time they would have worked had the injury not occurred. However there may be a three (3) calendar-day waiting period after the day of injury before becoming eligible for IDL benefit, unless:

1. The employee is disabled as a result of an injury growing out of a criminal act of violence against the employee, in which case the employee is eligible for IDL benefit payments from the first day of disability.

2. The employee is hospitalized on the date of injury, in which case the employee is eligible for IDL benefit payments from the first calendar day following the date of injury.

3. The employee is hospitalized later because of the disability, in which case the employee is eligible for IDL benefit payments from the first day of the three (3) calendar-day waiting period.

4. The employee is disabled for more than fourteen (14) calendar days, in which case the employee is eligible for IDL benefit payments from the first day of the three (3) calendar-day waiting period.