Salary Indemnity Plan Additional Information

Salary Indemnity Plan Additional Information

• Who is eligible to receive SIP benefits?

  The following people participate in the Plan:

  • All active members of the Federation employed by a school board or a local association on a regular full-time or regular part-time assignment.
  • All employees of the Federation, except those specifically exempted from participation in the Plan by the Federation.
  • All affiliate administrative members not participating in a wage loss replacement plan may participate in the Plan for up to a maximum of 12 months, provided they apply within 30 days of appointment as an administrative officer.

• Are TTOCs allowed to participate?

  No, TTOCs are not permitted to participate in the Plan. The provincial collective agreement between the Federation and BCPSEA prohibits TTOC participation.

• How much do Plan members pay in SIP dues?

  Plan members pay a fee of 1.97% of their salary for the 2020–21 fiscal year (July 1­–June 30). Of this portion of a member’s salary, 0.51% is allocated to the short-term plan, while the remaining 1.46% is allocated to the long-term plan.

• While on SIP, are my union dues paid?

  As per SIP Regulation 7.3, fees, such as BCTF and Local dues, and SIP fees, are all waived while in receipt of both short and long-term benefits. However, those fees will be deducted for any portion the member is working accommodation employment.

• Are SIP benefits taxable? How do I get my T4?

  SIP benefits are not taxable because it is a self-insured plan. You have already paid income tax on the monthly fee deducted from your salary; therefore, the benefits cannot be taxed, and you will not receive a T4.

• While on SIP, will my Teachers' Pension Plan be paid?

  Members on SIP receive full pensionable credit for the portion of time for which they receive benefits.

• Will SIP pay my benefits (medical/extended health/dental/life insurance)?

  Unfortunately, SIP does not cover those benefits. A member applying for SIP is encouraged to consult with their school district or local union office to inquire about maintaining benefits. In some cases, the school district will continue to cost share the benefit premiums for a period of time.

• Does SIP pay Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI) premiums?

  SIP does not pay CPP and EI premiums. A member, in receipt of disability benefits, is not employed by the SIP. Therefore, CPP contributory time is not credited and disability benefits are not considered insurable earnings under the EI mandate.

• Are my medical bills paid by SIP?

  No. The only exception is when a member is required to submit to an independent medical examination (IME) by medical professionals selected by the Plan Administrator.

  SIP Regulation 3.8 states:

  Expenses incurred by a member in obtaining medical certificates or other requested information under this regulation shall be borne by the member, except that the costs of an independent medical examination required under regulation 3.4 shall be borne by the plan.

• When would benefits not be paid?

  Benefits may not be paid if you:

  • are not receiving appropriate treatment as recommended by your treating physician.
  • have not provided the required medical information.
  • have not filed a Workers’ Compensation Board (WorkSafeBC) claim where your illness/injury is the work-related.
  • do not submit to an independent medical examination by a physician when required to do so by the SIP Administrator.
  • are not participating in a substance withdrawal program recognized by an addiction medicine specialist where your illness is caused by drug or alcohol abuse.
  • serve a prison sentence or are confined in a similar institution.
  • complete any work for wage or profit except as approved by us.
  • commit fraud or misrepresentation.

• What are my responsibilities while I receive disability benefits?

  While you are on claim, you are expected to participate in appropriate treatment as recommended by your treating physician. You are also expected to submit to an independent medical examination by a licensed physician, when required by the Plan Administrator. You are also required to provide, at periodic intervals, medical evidence of continuing disability.

• Does the BCTF share medical information with my employer?

  No. All medication, diagnosis and treatment information obtained by SIP concerning your health is strictly confidential and not shared with anyone at your employer (school board), unless specifically authorized by you. 

• I'm out of, or running out of, sick leave. How do I apply for SIP short-term?

  Contract teachers, 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 contract teacher 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 contract teachers 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 has been reached. 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 the Workers’ Compensation Board (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?

  If a member wishes to appeal an SIP claim decision, they need to submit their request in writing to their Case Manager or the Plan Administrator. 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.

• Am I eligible to receive SIP long-term disability (LTD) benefits?

  BCTF members employed on a regular full-time or part-time contract, who become disabled through injury or illness, shall be eligible for benefits immediately following the termination of sick leave and SIP short-term benefits, when no fewer than 120 days of benefits have been paid for that claim.

  BCTF employees participating in the Plan pursuant to Regulation 1.1(b), and who become disabled through injury or illness, shall be eligible for benefits, or as set out in a collective agreement with the Federation, immediately following the termination of sick leave benefits.

  You have my claim; how long do I wait for a decision? What is the LTD claim process?

  If they have the necessary information, Canada Life (CL) often turns around a decision within a few weeks. However, it is not unusual for CL to require further medical information, or a clarification on the medical information submitted, as part of the application. If this is the case, members are notified by CL. It is likely CL will telephone a member for an interview prior to the decision. Once a decision has been reached, the member is contacted by telephone with a follow-up letter.

• How much do I receive in LTD benefits?

  LTD benefits are 65% of the salary of the first $40,000, 50% of the next $40,000, and 40% of the remainder of your gross salary, as reported to us by your employer. 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.

• Do I have to attend assessments arranged by CL?

  Yes, plan members must attend medical or vocational assessments requested or approved by CL or the SIP Administrator. These assessments assist CL to determine how to manage your claim, return-to-work process, ability to perform gainful employment, etc.

• How do I dispute CL's decision to deny/terminate my claim?

  In the event a claimant disputes the decision of the external agency and/or the Plan Administrator regarding the medical acceptability of a claim, the dispute shall be finally and conclusively determined by a Medical Review Committee. The Medical Review Committee shall be composed of three physicians: one designated by the claimant, one by the Income Security Committee, and a third agreed to by the first two. The third physician shall act as a chairperson of the committee.

• How do I claim Occasional or Intermittent Absence

  If you have exhausted all your available sick leave from your school board and have the occasional or intermittent absence(s) (up to five per school year) for which you have not been paid by your school board, you may be eligible to claim for benefits from the Salary Indemnity Plan (SIP).  

  Intermittent absences are defined as absences which occur at irregular intervals. 

  Here are a few things you should be aware of:

  • To claim for intermittent absences, you must qualify in the usual manner and apply for Salary Indemnity Plan
  • Your claim must be for dates that have already occurred.
  • Once you have been issued a benefit for the dates you claimed and have returned to work, your claim will be closed, and you must re-apply for any additional absences with a whole new set of forms.
  • You may choose to apply after each absence, once a month, or save them up and apply once or twice yearly.
  • Coverage is for up to five intermittent absences per school year.
  • Please note, for intermittent absences claims, you must indicate a specific medical condition and/or treatment for each specific date (e.g., “off for illness/injury in June” is too generic and will not be accepted).