State Provided Disability Plans

The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina is available at no cost to eligible employees who work at least 30 hours a week (.75 FTE) for nine months or greater per year. To qualify to receive disability income, you also must have made at least one year of contributions to either the Optional Retirement Program or the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System 36 months prior to your disability.

Short Term Disability Plan: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled after one year of membership participation in TSERS or ORP.
Long Term Disability Plan: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled after five years of membership participation in TSERS or ORP.

Start of Disability Benefits

Benefits under DIPNC may begin after a mandatory 60-calendar-day waiting period. During this waiting period, most employees elect to use sick, annual and/or bonus time. If you do not have enough personal leave time to cover the 60-day waiting period, you may be eligible to apply for the Voluntary Shared Leave Program.

Short-term disability is the first phase of the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina. Following the 60-day waiting period, short-term disability benefits are payable at an amount of 50% of an employee’s base monthly salary plus an applicable longevity percentage at a maximum benefit of $3,000 a month. Benefits are payable for up to 12 months, beginning the first day following the end of the waiting period. If you continue to be unable to work, you may apply for extended short-term disability benefits, which are payable for up to an additional 12 months.

Get more information on the UNC System website.

Long-term disability is the second phase of the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina. After the short-term disability benefit period eligible employees can receive a long-term disability benefit if they are deemed unable to perform the usual functions of their job for an undetermined period. Eligibility for long-term disability benefits occurs after you have contributed to the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System or the Optional Retirement System for five years. Following the 60-day waiting period and the 12-month short-term disability period, if approved, you are eligible to receive 65% of your base monthly salary plus an applicable longevity percentage based on a maximum of $3,900 a month. Long-term disability benefits are payable until you are eligible for an unreduced retirement benefit. Periodic certifications of your disability may be required. After the first 36 months of long-term disability, benefits are reduced by an amount equal to the primary Social Security disability benefit entitlement.

Get more information on the UNC System website.

The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina is a benefit provided at no cost to eligible employees who participate in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program.

Short Term Disability Plan: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled after one year of membership participation in TSERS or ORP.
Long Term Disability Plan: Eligible employees are automatically enrolled after five years of membership participation in TSERS or ORP.