Disability and workers' compensation
How disability benefit payments work
| Disability plan | Benefit amount | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| USC Basic | 70% of weekly gross pay up to a maximum determined by USC | Maximum of 52 weeks |
| USC Supplemental | 100% of weekly gross pay | One week for each year of employment up to a maximum of 10 weeks |
| 80% of weekly gross pay | For remainder of 52 weeks | |
| USC Long Term | 70% of monthly gross pay | Until age 65 |
Maximum duration of benefit
| Age at onset of disability | Duration of benefits |
|---|---|
| 61 or younger | Attainment of age 65 |
| 62 but not yet 63 | 3 years and 6 months |
| 63 but not yet 65 | 3 years |
| 64 but not yet 65 | 2 years and 6 months |
| 65 but not yet 66 | 2 years |
| 66 but not yet 67 | 1 year and 9 months |
| 67 but not yet 68 | 1 year and 6 months |
| 68 but not yet 69 | 1 year and 3 months |
| 69 or older | 1 year |
Disability
California state law requires that all employees be provided with disability benefit insurance. Disability benefits replace part of your income if an injury or illness prevents you from working.
New employees are automatically enrolled in the USC Basic Disability plan, which mirrors the California State Disability plan. You also can choose to decline enrollment in the USC plan and enroll in the state disability plan instead—forms are available from the USC Disability Office. Either way, your coverage begins the first day of employment.
After 12 months of full-time, active employment, benefits-eligible employees are also eligible for the USC supplemental disability plan. The supplemental plan provides benefits at a higher percentage of your pay for a period up to 52 weeks. In addition, USC pays for long-term disability for all employees enrolled in supplemental disability. You can enroll in supplemental disability on eTrac.
Both the basic and supplemental plans require an employee contribution, which is paid through payroll reduction (in pretax dollars). The state determines the annual rate. USC determines the annual basic and supplemental rate. All rates are subject to change at any time.
You can change your disability plan during open enrollment.
If you have a disabling illness or injury, first notify your supervisor and home department coordinator. To file a claim for benefits, participants in the USC disability plans must call the university's disability administrator (Sedgwick CMS) at (800) 495-2315 between the hours of 6am and 4:45pm Pacific time. Participants in the state disability plan must contact the California Employment Development Department nearest their home. Your disability must be medically certified and you must file a claim with the disability administrator to collect benefits.
Employees on disability can continue their medical benefits for 4 months (1–4 yrs. of service), 8 months (5–9 yrs. of service) or 12 months (over 9 yrs. of service). If you return to work before your medical benefits end, your medical plan will continue as normal—but if you do not return to work and your medical benefits expire, you will need to elect COBRA in order to continue your medical benefits.
More information about USC disability plans is available from the USC Disability Office.
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated program to provide wage reimbursement for employees who become injured or ill while in the course and scope of their employment. Workers' compensation benefit payments may begin the fourth day of disability. All employees are automatically eligible the first day of employment.
You must be medically certified by a physician within the USC Medical Provider Network (MPN) to receive benefits, and all medical bills will be paid by the university. If you decide to treat with a provider outside of the MPN, USC is not required to pay for the treatment.
If you have a workplace injury, report it your supervisor immediately. Your home department coordinator or supervisor will submit an online Supervisor's Report of Incident to the workers' compensation department. If you or your supervisor have questions regarding the process, call (213) 740-6205.
