Benefits equal 70% of compensation, with a maximum benefit of $1,000 a week. For those able to work part time who have lost at least 20% of earnings, the disability benefit compensates for up to 70% of the wages lost up to $1,000 a week.
Clergy compensation is defined as total compensation as reported to the Church Pension Fund (cash stipend, housing, utilities, and social security offset).
For clergy, Short-Term Disability benefits are paid to the employer, who must continue paying full compensation and assessments as billed.
Employers also receive benefits for lay employees who are disabled and continue to receive their salaries. Benefits are paid directly to lay employees who do not receive salaries while disabled. A beneficiary cannot receive full salary and disability benefits at the same time. Payments to lay employees are made weekly.
Benefits are reduced by any amount a beneficiary may receive from:
- Workers' Compensation or similar provisions in the law
- State disability benefits
- Social Security benefits (lay employees)
- a third party by judgment, settlement or otherwise (after subtracting attorney's fees)
Benefits are not paid when the disability is:
- not under the care of a doctor
- caused by war or act of war, either declared or undeclared
- due to intentionally self-inflicted injuries
- a result of active participation in a riot
- due to participation in a crime or misdemeanor
Benefits for disabled clergy are paid monthly for up to 52 weeks. (The disability must be certified by claims representatives periodically during that time.) The first payment is issued on 61st day of disability.