State University Retirement System (SURS) Disability
Eligibility and Application
If an employee needs to file for SURS disability, contact benefits staff in the Office of Human Resources. Employees who have at least two years of SURS credit or have less than two years but have incurred a disability as the result of an accident, and may be off work longer than 60 calendar days, should file for disability benefits through the State Universities Retirement System. If an employee believes they will be off work longer than 60 days, the employee should contact the Benefits department who will mail the employee an Application for Disability. It is recommended employees start the process during the 60 days instead of waiting until they have reached 60 days off work. If an employee meets the criteria, they will be sent an Application for Disability. Once completed and returned to benefits staff, the application will be forwarded to the State Universities Retirement System.
When an employee receives their last payroll check from the University, benefits staff will send an Employer's Report of Disability notice to SURS. This provides SURS with the payroll information they need to process the disability claim.
What to Expect
SURS disability payments will be sent directly from SURS. Employees should expect to receive a check or electronic deposit from SURS after the following occur:
- Employees have been off longer than 60 calendar days and have exhausted all sick leave and any vacation leave they elected to use
- SURS has received the required documentation from the employee's doctor and has determined the employee is eligible for benefits
- SURS has received the Employer's Report of Disability from Benefits
More information about SURS disability.
Disability Under SURS or Optional Long Term Disability
If an employee needs to file for SURS disability, contact Benefits in the Office of Human Resources.
Eligibility and Application - Long Term Disability
If an employee carries the optional Long Term Disability insurance and needs to file for disability benefits, contact benefits staff in the Office of Human Resources. Per the Long Term Disability insurance, employees must be off work longer than 90 calendar days before they are eligible to file for disability benefits through this insurance. If an employee believes they will be off work longer than 90 days, the employee should contact the Benefits department who will mail an Application for Disability. It is recommended employees start the process during the 90 days instead of waiting until they have reached 90 days off work. Once the application is completed and returned to benefits staff, the application will be forwarded to the Long Term Disability insurance carrier.
