Putnam City Schools has recently agreed to implement a district-paid group Long Term Disability Plan for all employees currently eligible for benefits.

The benefit is intended to help employees who suffer illness, accident or injury that stops them from working for an extended period. In such cases, employees will receive 35 percent of their daily rate of pay. The benefit kicks in on the 30th day of an illness or the first day of hospitalization.

Employees may be able to purchase additional coverage that would provide up to 70 percent of their daily rate of pay.

The district-paid plan benefits will begin following a 30-day elimination period (calendar days that must be exhausted before benefits begin) and provide long-term benefits if disabled due to a covered accident or illness. The elimination period on the 30-day plan will be waived if an employee is hospitalized.

Employees that currently have a shorter elimination period plan with American Fidelity may apply district contributions to be credited towards their current plan. The new district-paid benefits will be effective Oct. 1, 2004. Employees may also increase their coverage if their current plan rate is below the district-paid funding level (subject to plan maximums). American Fidelity representatives will provide counseling to employees that currently have coverage over the next several weeks.

The plan will be underwritten by American Fidelity Assurance. American Fidelity representatives will schedule time at each work location to answer questions and advise employees of the options available. The representatives will also have brochures outlining all details of the available plans including definitions, eligibility, limitations and exclusions. Please take time to learn your options and make the best available decision about protecting your income.