INSURANCE

State Health Plan and Supplemental Benefits

All permanent full-time Chatham County Schools employees are eligible for health insurance, as noted in the North Carolina Public Schools Benefits and Employment Policy Manual.  Supplemental benefits, including dental and other types of insurance, are available at the employee’s cost. The State Health Plan is administered by the North Carolina State Health Plan Office and provides coverage for hospital, medical expenses, and prescription drugs. For information on supplemental benefit options, please visit the school system’s Benefits page.

If you have questions regarding health insurance, please contact the Benefits Specialist in the Human Resources Division at 919-542-3626. 

Life Insurance

Chatham County Schools provides $5000 term life insurance coverage to all full-time employees at no cost to the employee. This policy is carried by Hartford Life and employees may purchase supplemental coverage for an additional cost per month for themselves and/or their dependents. 

Disability Income

The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina provides both short-term and long-term disability benefits at no cost to permanent employees who are members of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System and who meet certain state service requirements. 

Unemployment Insurance

Public school employees are eligible for unemployment insurance in accordance with applicable NC General Statutes. Benefit amounts are based on a percentage of a person’s earnings, up to the allowable maximum. 

Workers’ Compensation

All public school employees are entitled to receive Workers’ Compensation under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.  Employees must have suffered an accidental injury or contracted an occupational disease in the course of employment to be considered for medical payments, compensation for lost salary, or death benefits under this program. Any such injuries or occupational disease must be immediately reported via the Employee Health and Safety page on the district website. Enter all the information requested and follow the steps to submit your report. For assistance, contact your immediate supervisor or the school Workers’ Compensation contact or call the Workers’ Compensation Specialist at 919.542.3626 ext. 23274. The Employee Accident/Exposure Incident Report should be completed by the injured/affected employee, however, if necessary, another employee can complete the report with the assistance of the affected employee.

Note: Employee claims for purposes of Workers' Compensation are administered by the third-party services of:

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc

PO Box 14774

Lexington KY, 40512-4774 

855-663-1507

Death Benefits

The beneficiary of an Employee who dies while still in active service and has a minimum of one year as a contributing member of the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System will receive a single lump-sum payment. The payment equals the highest 12 months of salary in a row during the 24 months before you die, but no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. This benefit is also paid if you die within 180 days of the last day for which you were paid salary. It is in addition to any other benefits to which you may be entitled. For this death benefit, you may name the same or different beneficiary(ies) than the one(s) you named to receive the refund of contributions during the 24 months preceding death subject to a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $50,000. For more information, you may visit the state retirement system webpage. 

Supplemental Retirement Plans

State-sponsored supplemental retirement plans are available to school employees. The Deferred Compensation Plan and State 401(K) and 457 Plans allow school employees to save for retirement through tax-sheltered programs. Contact the district’s Finance Division at 919-542-3626 for additional information as needed.

Social Security

School employees are members of the federal Social Security System and both employees and employers make contributions. Benefits include retirement income, disability payments, and survivor’s insurance. Social Security contributions have two parts, Social Security and Medicare.