FAQs

 

 

What is NDI?

 

Non-Industrial Disability Insurance (NDI) provides an eligible employee with a source of income should they become disabled in a non-work related situation and are unable to perform their regular or customary duties at work.

 

 

Who administers NDI?

 

The State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) is responsible for the program.

 

 

How much is the NDI premium?

 

Currently the CSU pays the full premium for NDI coverage. CSU employees are not required to pay contributions or enrollment fees in order to be covered by this benefit. If you are eligible, enrollment is automatic and effective on your date of hire.

 

 

I have a non-industrial disability, when can I use NDI?

 

Under NDI, if you are unable to work for longer than seven (7) calendar days because of a non-work-related injury or illness, and meet other eligibility criteria, NDI insurance provides you benefit payments (based on bargaining unit) for up to 26 weeks.

 

 

Am I eligible for NDI?

 

An employee who suffers a disability or injury which is not work-related may receive NDI benefits if all of the following four conditions are met. The employee:

  1. Is an active CalPERS/STRS member in compensated employment, and

  1. Status is:

    1. a permanent or probationary full-time CSU employee, regardless of period of service, in compensated employment, or

    2. a permanent part-time or hourly CSU employee who has permanent status with at least the equivalent of six (6) monthly compensated pay periods of service in the 18 consecutive months of pay periods immediately preceding the pay period in which the disability begins. To qualify for the "six (6) monthly compensated pay periods of service in the 18 months of pay periods" the employee must have been compensated for time worked during at least six (6) of the 18 consecutive months prior to the pay period in which the disability begins. The amount paid may be as little as one hour each month for six (6) months, but there must have been some compensation, or

    3. an employee of the CSU appointed half-time or more for one year of service or one academic year or more, and

  1. Has a disability which has been verified and accepted by EDD, and

  1. Submits to a medical examination, if requested by EDD.

 

 

How do I apply for NDI?

 

Complete the Request for Formal Leave of Absence form and designate “yes” to the question that asks if you wish to apply for Non-Industrial Leave (NDI) Insurance.  A First Claim for Nonindustrial Disability Insurance form will be prepared for you to complete for forwarding to EDD. You will be notified of the status of your claim by EDD approximately seven (7) to ten (10) days after your application has been received.

 

 

When do my NDI benefits begin?

 

If you are an eligible disabled employee, you must serve a seven (7) consecutive (calendar) day waiting period commencing on the first full day of disability for each period of disability. However, if you are confined in a hospital or EDD approved nursing home for one full day, the waiting period may be waived. The waiting period may be with or without pay depending upon whether you have accrued sick leave, vacation, CTO, holiday credit, etc., to cover the time.

 

 

How much are NDI benefits?    

 

The chart below specifies the weekly benefit amount as of January 1, 2017 an eligible employee would qualify for based on employee category/collective bargaining unit. An eligible employee may receive up to 26 weeks (182 calendar days) in an amount equal to one-half full pay not to exceed the following maximum amounts (whichever is less) for any one disability benefit period:

 

Employee Category

Weekly NDI Benefit

Unit 1 (Physicians)

$250

Units 2, 5, 7, & 9 (CSUEU)

$250

Unit 3 (Faculty)

$125

Unit 4 (APC)

$250

Unit 6 (Skilled Trades)

$250

Unit 8 (Public Safety Officers)

$125

Confidential (C99) Employees

$250

Management Personnel Plan (MPP/M80)

$250

Executive (M98)

$250

Excluded (E99, including TAs)

$125

Unit 11 (Graduate Assistants and ISAs)

Not eligible

FERP

Not eligible

Retired Annuitant

Not eligible

 

 

How are NDI benefits paid?

 

NDI benefits are paid monthly for a period not exceeding 26 weeks for any one disability. Calendar days on NDI will be based on the “State Pay Period Calendar”. Your pay warrant and/or salary advance will be distributed to your department while you are receiving NDI benefits. Direct Deposit will be discontinued while you are on NDI.

 

 

What deductions will be taken from my NDI check?

 

  • Federal and state income taxes.

  • Social security.

  • Any employee contributions for health and dental insurance premiums. State contributions will continue unless the employee opts to cancel them.

  • All voluntary miscellaneous deductions (i.e. credit union, insurance contributions, tax sheltered annuities, etc.) unless the employee opts to cancel them.

  • Please note: CalPERS contributions will not be deducted from the NDI payment since an employee does not earn service credit while on NDI Leave.

 

 

Are my NDI benefits taxable?

 

Yes. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that NDI benefits are taxable wages, and as a result, state and federal taxes and Social Security contributions will be withheld. Employees will not earn retirement service credit and retirement contributions will not be deducted from NDI benefits.

 

 

Do I have to exhaust my sick leave in order to apply for NDI benefits?

 

Yes. Prior to going on NDI, regardless of full or partial day, the employee must exhaust sick leave before any NDI benefits can be paid.

 

 

Can I use vacation accrual?

 

Yes. You may elect to use accrued vacation, CTO or personal Holiday prior to receiving NDI benefits. If you choose to use any of these credits, all of the selected credits must be used before NDI benefits will be paid. Once the designated leave credits are exhausted, NDI begins. If you work a partial day, prorated leave credits will accrue.

 

 

Will NDI affect my CSU FML?

 

Yes. If you are eligible for CSU FML, the NDI disability period will be counted as part of the twelve-week CSU FML entitlement unless the disability period is due to pregnancy disability leave (PDL).

 

 

Can NDI benefits be supplemented with Catastrophic Leave Donations?

 

Yes. Employees may use leave credit donations to supplement NDI benefits under the Catastrophic Leave Donation program. Supplementation may be on a partial or full supplementation basis but is not to exceed the employee’s gross monthly salary rate. A disabled employee may participate in the Catastrophic Leave program upon exhausting all personal leave credits.

 

 

Does an employee accrue CalPERS service credit while on NDI?

 

In general, employees do NOT earn PERS or STRS service credit while receiving NDI benefits. Employees who are working part-time while on NDI or who are receiving Catastrophic Leave supplementation will earn service credit on a prorated basis. If supplementing or working while on NDI, contact CalPERS for information on retirement credit/contribution amounts.