If you experience an injury or illness that prevents you from working, disability coverage (through Unum) provides partial income replacement to assist you financially. Paid leave may be used to supplement these benefits.
PLEASE NOTE: The disability plans detailed on this page are part of the benefits package for eligible State of Colorado employees, not all Colorado workers. Please contact your employer with any disability or benefits questions.
If you have questions about the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, please reach out to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) at CDLE_FAMLI_info@state.co.us or by calling 1-866-CO-FAMLI (1-866-263-2654) Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Short-Term Disability coverage provides some income replacement if you are unable to work due to an illness or injury. You are automatically enrolled in STD at no cost to you. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following your date of hire.
During the 30 calendar day elimination period, you must use your Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), unless you’re saving it for bonding. If you don’t have PFML, you must use your accrued sick or annual leave. You may continue using accrued leave to supplement your disability benefits up to 100% of weekly pre-disability compensation.
Employees are required to use accrued paid leave during the 30-day waiting period for short-term disability benefits, including the use of accrued annual leave and/or compensatory time once accrued sick leave has been exhausted.
Employees who elect to be made whole will use accrued sick leave first, then annual leave or compensatory time as available.
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 105 indicates that STD benefits, as sick pay, are to be included in the gross income of employees if the employer pays part or all of the premium for the STD coverage. In these situations, the STD disability benefits received by the employee are subject to federal taxation. The State of Colorado pays the entire STD insurance premium which means that the STD benefits received are 100% taxable to the employee.
Employees with at least five years of PERA Defined Benefit (DB) Retirement Plan covered employment service may be eligible for PERA STD benefits. The Unum STD insurance coverage will always coordinate with an employee’s PERA STD coverage. The PERA STD benefits will always be the primary STD benefits and will be an offset to Unum STD benefits.
PLEASE NOTE: Paid leave supplements will offset PERA disability payments. Employees should stop paid leave supplements prior to the commencement of PERA disability benefits.
Optional Long-Term Disability pays you 60% of your earnings if you cannot work for an extended period due to a disabling illness or injury. Employees regularly scheduled to work 12+ hours/week are eligible to enroll.
As long as you continue to meet the definition of disability, benefits are payable until age 65 or beyond, depending on your age when you become disabled.
Optional LTD benefits are not subject to federal taxation because the employee pays 100% of the Optional LTD premium on a post-tax basis. This means the Optional LTD benefits are not included in the gross income of the employee.
Employees with at least five years of PERA Defined Benefit (DB) Retirement Plan covered employment service may be eligible for PERA Disability benefits. The Unum Optional LTD insurance coverage will always coordinate with an employee PERA Disability coverage. The PERA Disability benefits will always be the primary Disability benefits and will be an offset to Unum‚ Optional LTD benefits.
PLEASE NOTE: Paid leave supplements will offset PERA disability payments. Employees should stop paid leave supplements prior to the commencement of PERA disability benefits.