Portland State University COVID-19 Extended Benefits Program

A program for specific employees impacted by lack of work due to COVID-19

Portland State University COVID-19 Extended Benefits Program

Program Summary

Employees who work in units impacted by the loss of revenue or lack of work due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts may be enrolled in the PSU Extended Benefit Program. The program will allow employees to retain health care benefits while on an unpaid leave of absence. Displaced employees will also have the opportunity to apply for expanded unemployment insurance and human resources will provide employee support services.

On this page: ELIGIBILITY | PAY | BENEFITS | RETURN TO WORK | HR CONTACT INFO | ADDITIONAL RESOURCES | FAQs

ELIGIBILITY

Employees notified by HR of their inclusion in the program.

 

PAY 

Program participants will start an unpaid leave of absence from the university starting on May 16th, 2020 and extending through the earlier of the date on which you are recalled to service at PSU or September 27th, 2020 at which point any employees who remain on leave without pay will be laid off.

You may be eligible for Oregon unemployment which can range from $151 to $648 per week. In addition to that, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 per week is currently available through 7/31/2020 (also through the Oregon Employment Department). Our Unemployment Insurance Filing Resources document has more information.

 

BENEFITS

Your core health benefits (medical, dental, basic vision and basic life insurance) will be fully paid for you by PSU (including the 3%/5% employee share).

Any optional benefits such as optional life, short- or long-term disability, or long-term care can be continued if you so choose, but must continue to be paid by the employee.

 

RETURN TO WORK

PSU’s goal is to return as many employees back to work as possible over the summer as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and work becomes available on campus. Different areas may be impacted for different durations depending on how work returns to campus. We will notify individual positions as this occurs.

 

HR CONTACT INFO

Email:  covid19.benefits@pdx.edu

Phone:  503.725.4926

Website:  www.pdx.edu/human-resources (web chat available)

Mail:  PSU - HRC / P.O. Box 751 / Portland, OR 97207-0751

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Unemployment Insurance Filing Resources

Cascade Centers Employee Assistance Program - (800) 433-2320

May 7, 2020 Webinar explaining the Extended Benefits Program

 

FAQs

GENERAL

 

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY

 

BENEFITS QUESTIONS

 

 

 

FAQ ANSWERS

GENERAL

How will I know when to come back to work?

PSU is working to ensure that as many employees as possible return as quickly as is safe and practical. PSU will contact individuals based on department, position and - for SEIU members - seniority as work becomes available.

 

Who do I talk to if I have any additional questions?

We want to ensure that you receive prompt, accurate answers to any questions that you may have. Here are various resources available through HR for you to receive this information and for you to connect with a member of our team to help you with these options.

 

How will this impact my pay for May (5/30 payday)?

Your pay in May will be distributed as normal for the pay period of 4/16/2020-5/15/2020. You will not lose benefits coverage during this month.

During subsequent months while on leave without pay you will receive a pay stub that will show which health benefits have been extended.

 

Should employees continue to work from home, or continue to come to work if they perform critical functions, until the end of the notice period? If so, are employees allowed to use leave during this time?

Yes, employees may be scheduled as they normally would be, and will receive full pay and benefits for work performed during the notice period. Employees may request to use leave during the notice period through the usual supervisor approval process.

 

How long will this program go on?

The leave without pay and benefit continuation will begin on May 16th, 2020 and will continue no longer than September 27th, 2020.

PSU will contact individuals based on department, position and seniority as work becomes available. 

If work is ultimately not available, PSU will provide you with a layoff notice no later than September 27th.

 

Can I apply for unemployment while I am on the Extended Benefits Program?

Yes. You may be eligible for Oregon unemployment which can range from $151 to $648 per week. In addition, supplemental Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 per week is currently available through 7/31/2020 (also through the Oregon Employment Department). Additional resources are available in this Unemployment Resources document.

When applying for Unemployment please remember that you must report any compensation that you receive from PSU (including paid leave, but not benefits).

 

How will this program impact my retirement benefits?

The effect of leave without pay can have a varied impact on your retirement benefits depending on which plans you are in as well as how far you are from retirement.

Contributions to voluntary retirement plans such as the Tax-Deferred Investment 403(b) Plan or the Oregon Savings Growth Plan (457(b)) are based on a percentage of pay and will not be made during leave without pay.

If you intend to retire by September 27th, 2020, you have a choice of either being placed on an unpaid leave of absence and into the Extended Benefits Program or elect to move through the layoff process as outlined in Article 44 of the CBA. To make this choice, you must notify HR via email to covid19.benefits@pdx.edu by no later than May 11, 2020.

If you have questions about your specific circumstance, please do not hesitate to ask by contacting covid19.benefits@pdx.edu.

 

Can I apply for unemployment prior to the May 16th, 2020 start of the Extended Benefits program?

Depending on your personal circumstances including scheduled work as well as available paid leave that you choose to use, you may decide to apply for unemployment at any point and do not need to wait for the start of the Extended Benefits Program.

If you are eligible, Oregon unemployment can range from $151 to $648 per week. In addition, supplemental Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 per week is currently available through 7/31/2020 (also through the Oregon Employment Department). Additional resources are available in this Unemployment Resources document.

When applying for Unemployment please remember that you must report any compensation that you receive from PSU (including paid leave, but not benefits).

 

Will I still have access to my PDX.edu email address while on leave without pay during the Extended Benefits Program?

Yes. You will still have access to your PDX.edu email address. However, you should not perform any work for PSU while out of the office on leave without pay as part of the Extended Benefits Program.

 

Can I do occasional work for PSU while on the Extended Benefits Program?

No. While on the leave without pay that accompanies the Extended Benefits Program you must not perform any work for PSU.

 

What should I do with any PSU-owned hardware (e.g. laptop, monitor, etc) while on leave in the Extended Benefits Program?

Please talk with your supervisor and department about managing PSU-owned equipment during this time. You should not perform any work for PSU while out on leave without pay.

 

What are my options for paying for my optional benefits?

Use answer for ‘When is payment due for my optionals? Payments for each month are due by the 10th.’

 

I currently live in the state of Washington although I work in Oregon. Would I apply for unemployment benefits for the state of Washington or Oregon?

You should file for unemployment in Oregon.

As a new employee, how will my PERS/ORP retirement new hire eligibility be impacted by this leave without pay?

Time on leave without pay will neither count towards your eligibility period nor will it create a break in service (causing you to start this period over).

 

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY

When will employees be brought back to work?

The university anticipates bringing employees back during the summer as work returns to campus in preparation for Fall Term.

 

How many employees will be returning in the fall?

The university does not yet know what our staffing needs will be in the fall, but the goal and the belief is that we will bring back employees as work returns to campus over the summer.

 

When will the university notify employees on leave what their status will be after September 27th?

Employees should expect to hear from the university no later than early September regarding what their status will be after September 27th.

 

What happens if an employee participates in the leave without pay program and their position isn’t needed in the fall?

If a position isn’t needed in the fall, your PSU employment will end and, for SEIU members, CBA Article 44 will apply.

 

What if I find another job before learning whether or not I will return?

Please notify Human Resources if you are resigning your position with the university by emailing covid19.benefits@pdx.edu.

 

What will happen to accrued leave balances while on leave without pay?

Accrued leave balances will remain unchanged during the period of leave without pay. Although employees do not accrue additional paid leave while on leave without pay, their balances remain available to them at such time they are returned to work or available for pay out in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and policy should employment end.

 

Can I use my accrued leave during my leave without pay period?

No.

 

As an SEIU employee, how is my seniority affected if I am placed on leave without pay?

Employees shall continue to accrue seniority while out on leave without pay.

 

How will the university choose which SEIU employees should return?

Employees will be chosen based on work unit, seniority, and classification.

 

Will I need to complete timesheets / leave reports while on leave without pay as part of the Extended Benefits Program?

No, while on leave without pay you will not need to complete timesheets or leave reports.

 

BENEFITS QUESTIONS

What action do I need to take to initiate the Extended Benefits Program?

You do not need to take any action for your benefits to continue after May 16th, 2020.

Core benefits (medical, dental, basic vision) will continue automatically and will be paid by PSU.

Optional benefits will continue to be active and will be billed each month to each employee unless cancelled.

 

What benefits are included in the Extended Benefits Program?

Health, dental and basic vision are all covered 100% during your participation in the extended benefits continuation program.

Other benefits may be able to be continued as well. Please see the next question for information about this process.

 

May I continue optional benefits not included in the Extended Benefits Program?

Long-/short-term care, vision plus plan, employee/spouse/dependent life insurance, AD&D

  • If you terminate these optional benefits they will be reinstated upon return without completing a health history form.
  • All optional life insurance plan must be dropped if one is selected.
  • Employees can drop life insurance and keep disability plans.
  • Employees can drop disability plans and keep life insurance and AD&D plans.

Long-term care can be canceled at this time but you will need to apply again which may put you in a different age tier and you would need to submit a health history form upon reapplying.

  • You may drop this separate from the other optional benefits.

Dependent care will terminate 5/31/20.

How much? Emails will be sent out from covid19.benefits@pdx.edu regarding the amount you will be responsible for.

 

When is payment due for my optionals? Payments for each month are due by the 10th.

  1. Please send payments in the form of a check or money order written out to Portland State University.
  2. Include, “optional continuation” in the memo.
  3. Send checks to: Office of Human Resources Portland State University PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751.

 

Am I eligible for Staff Fee Privilege while on the Extended Benefits Program?

Yes.

 

Am I eligible for the Employee Assistance Program while on the Extended Benefits Program?

Yes.

 

Will I lose my benefits based on the change to my job as part of the university's response to COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

No. Your core benefits will continue at the same cost without disruption. However, the university pays both the university contribution as well as the employee monthly premium share (3% or 5%).

Optional benefits will continue and you will be sent an invoice each month.

 

Will I receive my opt-out benefit payment while on the Extended Benefit Continuation Program?

If you currently opt-out of PEBB medical, you will no longer receive the monthly cash-back payment when leave without pay begins. However, your dental and basic vision insurance as well as optional benefits will continue, if enrolled.

If you previously opted out, but you lost your alternate coverage, you may be eligible for a mid-year change to elect benefits.

 

How much will I have to pay to continue my benefits?

Your cost for core benefits (medical, dental and basic vision) will be $0 while you are on the benefit continuation program.

For optional benefits, the Benefits Office (covid19.benefits@pdx.edu) will send you individual information regarding your cost share and options of payments.

 

Can I make changes to my benefits?

Yes, but with limits. You cannot make changes to your core benefit plans or coverage levels. However, you can cancel your enrollment in optional benefits or choose to cancel enrollment in all benefits. If you take no action, then your benefits elections will continue without any changes. Your options include: Continue all core benefits and optional benefits elections without any changes. If you take no action, then your benefits elections will continue without any changes.

You may cancel optional benefits such as life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance by 5/31/20. There is no option to change plans or coverage levels for core benefits, which includes medical, dental, and basic vision.

 

How do I make allowable changes to my benefits?

You will receive a notification from covid19.benefits@pdx.edu that includes instructions for making allowable changes to your benefits.

 

How do I pay my cost share for benefits?

No cost share payment is necessary for your core health benefits (medical, dental, vision) 

If you choose to continue your optional benefits, instructions for self-payment procedures will be included in your notification from covid19.benefits@pdx.edu. Payments for each month are due by the 10th.

  1. Please send payments in the form of a check written out to Portland State University.
  2. Include, “optional continuation” in the memo.
  3. Send checks to: Office of Human Resources Portland State University PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751.

 

Are my dependents and/or spouse or domestic partner currently covered by PSU core benefits included in this Extended Benefits Program?

Yes.

For Domestic Partners please see the question ‘How will my domestic partner taxable health care benefit be paid under the Extended Benefits Program if I keep them on my insurance?’ (coming soon) for additional details.

 

How will my domestic partner taxable health care benefit be paid under the Extended Benefits Program if I keep them on my insurance? 

Benefit coverage for domestic partners is still a taxable benefit. Although we are not able to withhold taxes due to your leave without pay status, you will still be responsible for taxes on this benefit when filing your 2020 taxes. Please talk to your tax adviser about how to best manage this obligation.

 

updated 5/4/2020