Short Term Disability

Short Term Disability (STD) benefits begin after you are unable to work due to a non-work related injury or illness after you have satisfied waiting period.

Who’s Eligible

All staff, including those represented by SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers East, scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. Academic Administrative Professionals (AAP) are covered under this plan effective July 1, 2022.

Effective Date of Coverage

Coverage is effective immediately upon employment or qualified change of employment status (i.e. transferring from part-time to a full-time, benefits-eligible position).

What is it and how does it work?

Short Term Disability benefits replace 100% of  your income in the event you become unable to work due to an injury, illness or other medical scenario such as a scheduled surgery or birth of a child.

Benefits continue until the earliest of:

  • The date you are no longer disabled;
  • The date you reach the “recovery limit” for your type of disability; or
  • The date you reach the maximum benefit period of ten weeks.

Waiting Period
Before you can begin receiving these benefits, you must first satisfy an unpaid waiting period. During this period you may use PTO, Unpaid Leave, Sick Leave or Salary Continuance Leave (AAP only). If a University Holiday occurs during the waiting period, that day will count toward satisfying your waiting period and you won’t have to take leave for that holiday.

Starting July 1, 2022, the unpaid waiting period will change from 15 work days to 5 work days.

Having a Baby
Maternity is covered under Georgetown University’s Short Term Disability plan. For birth claims in which there are no medical complications, the benefit is for a total of 8 weeks (inclusive of the unpaid waiting period). You can learn more about your options, resources and much more in our guide to Leave Benefits for New Parents and Growing Families.

Coordination of Benefits
Benefits are coordinated with any salary, wages, earnings or other plan benefits, as well as statutory programs, such as those benefits provided by the D.C. Paid Family Leave program.

Applying for Short Term Disability

MetLife is the administrator for Short Term Disability claims for Staff and AAP.

Steps for Initiating a Claim:

1. Report your leave of absence to your Manager/Supervisor and maintain contact with them throughout leave period.

2. Contact MetLife to initiate your STD claim.

If your absence is scheduled, such as an upcoming hospital stay or birth of a child, call MetLife 30 days prior to your last day of work. If unscheduled, please call MetLife as soon as possible. MetLife will also review your FMLA eligibility at this time. You can learn more about FMLA here.

3. If you are eligible for paid leave benefits from the District of Columbia’s Office of Paid Family Leave, visit dcpaidfamilyleave.dc.gov to register and apply.

4. Request time off for the unpaid waiting period in GMS. You may use PTO, Sick, Salary Continuance Leave (AAP) or Unpaid Time Off.

D.C. Paid Family Leave

The District of Columbia’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program provides paid leave for certain medical and family-related qualifying events.  This leave is administered directly through the Department of Employment Services and provides up to 8 weeks of paid time off within a 12 month period for eligible employees. Remote employees who are working full-time approved states may also be eligible for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) programs offered through their primary work state.

All Georgetown leave policies will run concurrent with state PFML programs whenever possible.  

Given this, payment from Georgetown University will be reduced by any estimated benefit from the District of Columbia’s Paid Family Leave or other state PFML program. During leaves of absence Georgetown University employees will be compensated up to 100% of their salary from all sources combined. You can learn more about how GU benefits coordinate with DC PFL benefits here.