Salary Indemnity Plan (SIP)—Short term
Frequently asked questions
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The Salary Indemnity Plan is not insured by an insurance company regulated under the Financial Institutions Act. The BCTF is exempt from the regulatory requirements of the Financial Institutions Act.
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Included for your information are some basic responses
to frequently asked questions regarding the short-term portion of the Salary
Indemnity Plan. If your question is not answered, please contact a claims
officer at 604-871-1921.
I’m out of, or running out of, sick leave. How do I
apply for SIP-short term?
Members, who suspect that their illness will continue beyond their sick leave
entitlements, are encouraged to contact the Income Security Division of the
BCTF at least one month prior to the expiration of their sick leave. Call 604-871-1921
or 1-800-663-9163 extension 1921 and ask for a short-term disability benefits
application package.
How much does SIP-short term pay?
SIP benefits are 50% of the salary reported to us by the school district. The
benefit is non-taxable. In addition, the member does not pay, but
receives credit for having paid, their pension as well as local and BCTF
fees.
How long does SIP-short term last?
A member is entitled to a maximum of 120 days of short-term disability
benefits, in respect of any one claim.
Am I entitled to SIP short-term if I have withdrawn
from the long-term portion of the plan?
All members pay the short-term portion of the SIP fee and are entitled to apply
for short-term disability benefits.
Why do I have to use my sick leave entitlements before
going on short-term SIP?
Your local association has negotiated sick leave provisions into your local
collective agreement. These provisions place the onus on the employer (school
board) to provide full pay with respect to a documented illness until the
expiration of sick leave or the maximum number of sick leave days that may be
used in a year. Salary Indemnity Plan regulations state that a member shall be
eligible for benefits on the first working day following the termination/expiration
of sick leave.
Can I skip short-term and go directly to the long-term
portion of SIP if I have a long-term illness?
The plan regulations are quite specific that a member shall be eligible for
long-term disability benefits immediately following the termination of sick
leave and SIP short-term benefits. Therefore, it is not possible to skip the
short-term portion of the plan and go directly to the long-term portion.
What if I receive income from another
source? How will that impact my SIP short-term benefit?
SIP regulations
state that your disability benefits are reduced by payments from WCB for the
same accident or illness, Employment Insurance (maternity/parental), the
Teachers’ Pension Plan, a retirement pension received under a registered
pension plan if the retirement income from that plan would be considered
earnings under section 35 of the Employment Insurance Regulations or from
employment.
How do I appeal a decision to deny,
suspend, or terminate my claim?
The Income
Security Committee shall review and rule upon any issue of interpretation or
application of the regulations, including eligibility for benefits, in any
claim where a member questions the decision of the SIP administrator. The
Income Security Committee meets five times per school year to hear member
appeals. An appeal can usually be heard at the next meeting of the Income
Security Committee as long as your appeal documents have been received at least
two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
March 2018