Originally posted by DIZNYFAN
arminnie thanks that is great info and sounds faily close to what is offered here. Did they list an amount of benefits paid to the person justout of curiosity. It seems like Cali has things headed in the right direction.
from:
California Disability Link
California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers. The SDI program is State-mandated, and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers who suffer a loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a NON WORK-RELATED illness or injury, or a medically disabling condition from pregnancy or childbirth.
The majority of California employees, approximately 12 million workers, are covered by the SDI program. Some employees are exempt from SDI; for example, railroad employees, some employees of non-profit agencies, employees who claim religious exemptions, and most government employees.
Four other states and one Commonwealth offer a disability insurance program. They are Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York and Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Each state operates its program independently.
BENEFITS OF CALIFORNIA SDI COVERAGE
SDI coverage "travels" with the worker. Coverage is not dependent on staying with a specific employer.
SDI coverage is mandatory for most California workers.
SDI is non-exclusionary. An eligible worker's coverage cannot be canceled or denied because of health risk factors, pre-existing medical conditions, or hazardous employment.
SDI may pay up to 52 weeks of benefits with a waiting period of only seven days.
Payroll deductions for all covered workers are based on the same low contribution rate.
The State Disability Insurance (SDI) Contribution Rate for 2001, 2002, and 2003 is 0.9% (.009). The SDI taxable wage limit is $46,327 per employee for calendar years 2001 and 2002, $56,916 for 2003.
Benefits are based on highest quarterly income in the past year starting at $75/week up to $728/week.
LInk to benefit table
My employer chose to supplement this benefit with additional payments to provide 2/3 of salary while disabled up to six months (and a long term disability policy for after six months).
The CA disability payments are not taxable as the premium is paid by the employee. The long-term disability payments (not soc. sec) are taxable as the premiums were paid by the employer.
But please note the key word throughout this info - "Disabled".
Someone who cannot perform their job functions is covered. It is not the same thing as maternity leave. When you are physically (and mentally) able to perform your job the benefits stop.
UPDATE-
PAID FAMILY LEAVE
In 2002, historic legislation was enacted to extend disability compensation to cover individuals who take time off of work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner, or to bond with a new child. Senate Bill 1661 established the Paid Family Leave insurance program, also known as Family Temporary Disability Insurance program, to be administered by the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. An estimated 13 million California workers who are covered by the SDI program will also be covered for Paid Family Leave insurance benefits commencing on or after July 1, 2004.
Paid Family Leave
Q.What is Paid Family Leave?
A. Paid Family Leave is unemployment compensation disability insurance paid to workers who suffer a wage loss when they take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child.
Q.How long may a person receive Paid Family Leave insurance benefits?
A. Workers may receive up to six (6) weeks of benefits that may be paid over a 12-month period.
Q.What is the relationship of Paid Family Leave Insurance to State Disability Insurance?
A. Paid Family Leave Insurance is a component of the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. The SDI benefit portion compensates workers who suffer a wage loss when they can't work because of their own illness or injury. The Paid Family Leave benefit compensates workers who suffer a wage loss due to the need to provide care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child.
Q.Are payroll deductions mandatory?
A. Yes, beginning January 1, 2004, employers are required to deduct the Paid Family Leave contributions from the wages of employees who are covered by the SDI program.
Q.Who pays?
A. The Paid Family Leave insurance program is fully funded by employees' contributions, similar to the SDI program.
COST
Are the payroll deductions mandatory?
Yes, beginning January 1, 2004, employers are required to deduct the Paid Family Leave insurance contributions from the wages of employees who are covered by the SDI program.
How much will it cost?
For calendar years 2004 and 2005, the Paid Family Leave insurance contribution rate will be .08 percent (.0008) of the taxable wage limit.
The taxable wage limit in 2004 will be $68,829. This means that wages above this amount are not taxed for SDI. Therefore the maximum contribution for Paid Family Leave insurance would be $55.06 in 2004, in addition to the existing SDI contribution.
The taxable wage limit in 2005 will be $79,418. This means that wages above this amount are not taxed for SDI. Therefore, the maximum contribution for Paid Family Leave insurance would be $63.53 in 2005, in addition to the existing SDI contribution.
The cost of Paid Family Leave insurance will be incorporated into the base SDI contribution rate from 2006 and beyond.
Q.When do Paid Family Leave benefit payments begin?
A. Benefits are payable for Paid Family Leave insurance claims commencing on or after July 1, 2004.
In other words, benefits will not be paid for leave taken prior to July 1, 2004.
around $22,000 instead of $28,000. still more than most people will have put in when they take it, no?
JEnn
