• Health Benefits and Leave of Absence

    What happens to my insurance benefits during leave?  This is a common question with leave of absence. This can vary dependent on several factors such as how much time off you take, if you qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) and several other factors.

    How do I qualify for FMLA to get group benefit coverage? You qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) by working 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of leave, working for the District for at least 12 months and experience a qualifying reason to take FMLA leave. (For qualifying reasons for FMLA please click here)

    What is benefit coverage under FMLA? Benefit coverage means that the District will continue to pay the District’s portion of your insurance benefits. Staff members are still responsible for their portion of payment for their benefits. If a staff member continues to receive a paycheck while on leave, by using a form of paid leave, the staff members benefits will continue to be deducted from their paycheck. If a staff member is not receiving a paycheck from the District, the staff member will receive a letter from the payroll department explaining their benefits and the process to pay the employee portion.

    What if I do not qualify for FMLA or run out of FMLA? If you run out of FMLA or do you qualify, SEBB has rules for health benefits. This can be very complicated however some of the factors for health benefit coverage include how many hours you have worked in the school year, how many anticipated hours you will work in the remainder of the school year and SEBB also has rules around what SEBB classifies as COBRA. Click here for more SEBB information on COBRA.

    What if I have paid leave time how does that affect my health benefits? If you have paid leave time that is being used during leave, your benefits will continue with your regular benefit deductions on your paycheck.

    How do I qualify for FMLA to get group benefit coverage? You qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) by working 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of leave, working for the District for at least 12 months and experience a qualifying reason to take FMLA leave. (For qualifying reasons for FMLA please click here).


    Do you have any questions?
    Contact Abigail Iracheta, HR Generalist
    airacheta@psd1.org 
    (509) 543-6735