DISABILITY BENEFITS
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn 1.25 days of sick leave per month of employment. Sick leave can accumulate up to a maximum of 150 days, calculated on June 30 of each fiscal year. Sick leave days may be used only for illness and/or temporary disability such that work is not practical, illness in the immediate family, or death in the immediate family (maximum of ten days per period of bereavement). Up to 2 days (up to 4 days, if accumulated) can be used annually for personal leave.
Sick Leave Bank
Horry County Schools has established a Sick Leave Bank for active duty employees who earn sick leave. Participation is on a voluntary basis. The purpose of the bank is to provide leave for employees who experience catastrophic illness or accidents that require absences which exceed their accrued leave but do not activate long-term disability insurance provisions. Employees donate sick leave to the Bank for the use by Bank members. An open enrollment period for the Bank is held each year during the month of October or within the first 31 work days on the job for new hires.
Basic Long-Term Disability
Horry County Schools provides to each full-time, permanent employee who is enrolled in any of the health insurance programs Basic Long-Term Disability (BLTD) coverage. BLTD has a 90-day benefit waiting period during which no benefits are paid. The monthly BLTD benefit is 62.5% of your base salary up to a maximum of $800 per month.
For more information regarding Basic Long Term Disability, please contact the benefit account manager assigned to your school or location. To determine who your account manager is please click here.
Supplemental Long-Term Disability
SLTD can be purchased as part of the State Insurance Plan with premiums dependent on your age, plan selection and your monthly earnings. The monthly SLTD benefit is 65% of the first $12,307 of your pre-disability earnings with a minimum monthly benefit of $100 per month and a maximum of $8,000 per month.
South Carolina Retirement Systems Disability Retirement
If you have been a member of the South Carolina Retirement Systems for at least 5 years, you may be eligible to retire on disability retirement. If the disability occurs due to an on-the-job accident, the 5-year minimum is waived. NOTE: This benefit is not available to Optional Retirement Plan participants.
Workers’ Compensation
If you are physically injured on the job, you are eligible for workers’ compensation. Workers’ Compensation is designed to pay for medical care and payment of lost wages. To apply for Workers’ Compensation leave, the injured worker is required to secure an “Out of Work Order” form from an approved physician and complete a first report of injury form at your work site.
Family and Medical Leave Act
The District will provide leave to eligible employees consistent with the FMLA. Eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 workweeks of unpaid family and medical leave in any 12 month period. The District will continue to pay the District’s share of the employee’s health benefits during the leave. In addition, the District will restore the employee to the same or a similar position after the termination of the leave in accordance with District policy.