R477-7-17. Long Term Disability Leave

  (1) Upon approval of an LTD claim:

  (a) Biweekly salary payments that the employee may be receiving shall cease. If the employee received any salary payments after the three month waiting period, the LTD benefit shall be offset by the amount received.

  (b) The employee shall be paid for remaining balances of annual leave, excess hours, and compensatory hours earned by FLSA non-exempt employees in a lump sum payment. This payment shall be made at the time LTD is approved unless the employee requests in writing to receive it upon separation from state employment. No reduction of the LTD payment shall be made to offset this payment. Upon return to work from an approved leave of absence, the employee has the option of buying back annual leave at the current hourly rate.

  (c) An employee with a converted sick leave balance at the time of LTD eligibility shall have the option to receive a lump sum payout of all or part of the balance or to keep the balance intact to pay for health and life insurance upon retirement. The payout shall be at the rate at the time of LTD eligibility.

  (d) An employee who retires from state government directly from LTD may be eligible for health and life insurance under Subsection 67-19-14.

  (e) Unused sick leave balance shall remain intact until the employee retires. At retirement, the employee shall be eligible for the 401(k) contribution and the purchase of health and life insurance under Subsection 67-19-14.2.

  (2) An employee in the Tier I retirement system shall continue to accrue service credit for retirement purposes while receiving long term disability benefits.

  (3) An employee who was not separated from employment may return to work following long term disability when they provide an administratively acceptable medical release allowing a return to work.

  (4) Long term disability benefits are provided to eligible employees in accordance with 49-21-403.