Human Resources
Benefits Upon Layoff
Following is a brief summary of your benefits upon layoff.
Unemployment Insurance
Employees who are laid off are entitled to unemployment benefits provided they meet the criteria of "available and able to work." The actual amount is based on the employee's salary and number of dependents.
It is important to apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you are laid off. You can apply for unemployment benefits online at http://www.iowaworkforce.org/ui/ or you can go to your local Workforce Development Center. (Note: You save a considerable amount of time by applying online.)
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Vacation
Accrued vacation is paid out when you receive your final paycheck. If you return to state employment within two years following the date of layoff, your previous continuous service and the period of separation will be counted toward your vacation accrual rate.
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Compensatory Time
Any accumulated compensatory leave not taken will be paid out on the final paycheck.
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Sick Leave
Accrued sick leave is not paid out upon layoff. If you are reemployed by any state agency within one year (UE/IUP and SPOC) or two years (non-contract and AFSCME) following the date of layoff, your sick leave balance accrued prior to layoff will be restored, except to the extent that the sick leave hours have been credited to a sick leave bank.
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Health and Dental Insurance
Your current health and dental insurance plans will be in effect until the end of the month in which the layoff occurs. The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides for continuation of health benefits coverage after your coverage with the state ends. Information on COBRA continuation of health and/or dental insurance is available at the DAS COBRA website.
If you are recalled, your coverage will be effective the first of the month following your recall hire date.
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Life Insurance
When you are laid off, your life insurance coverage ends at the end of the month in which layoff occurs. You can continue life insurance by either porting or converting your coverage. Information on continuing your life insurance coverage is at the DAS Life Insurance website.
AD&D Insurance Conversion
You can convert your AD&D coverage. Information on continuing your life insurance coverage is at the DAS Life Insurance website.
If you are recalled within one year (two years for AFSCME and UE/IUP) you are eligible for reinstatement of life insurance in the same amount previously held. Your coverage will be effective the first of the month following your return to work.
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Long Term Disability Insurance
When you are laid off, long term disability insurance coverage ends at the end of the month in which layoff occurs. However, you can submit a claim for disabilities that began while your LTD coverage was in effect. There is no conversion provision for LTD insurance.
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
You may continue to seek reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred through the date of your layoff. Your coverage in the dependent care flexible spending account ceases unless you meet certain eligibility requirements, such as are employed elsewhere or are actively seeking employment. If you are recalled within 30 days of your layoff date, you are automatically reinstated at the same annual election amount. If you are recalled more than 30 days after your layoff date, you are eligible to participate in the program and may elect a new amount for the remainder of the calendar year.
Health Flexible Spending Account
You may continue to seek reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred through the last day of the month in which your last payroll deduction is made. Otherwise, your coverage in the health care flexible spending account ceases unless you are eligible for and elect COBRA coverage, in which case you continue to make contributions (although on a post-tax basis) and can make claims for eligible expenses that arise during the period of COBRA coverage. If you are recalled within 30 days of your layoff date, you are automatically reinstated at the same annual election amount. If you are recalled more than 30 days after your layoff date, you are eligible to participate in the program and may make elect a new amount for the remainder of the calendar year.
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Deferred Compensation
Participants in the Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) (formerly known as the deferred compensation program) have many options when they terminate from State employment. You have the option to:
- Leave your money in RIC and continue to defer taxes (at age 70 ½ you must begin taking your required minimum distributions).
- Request total, partial, or systematic payments from your RIC account.
- Roll your RIC account over to an IRA, 401(k), 401(a), 457, 403(b), or 403(a).
If you are recalled, you are eligible to begin contributing to RIC again. If you have closed your account, you must open a new one. If you are receiving periodic payments, you may continue to receive them. You are not eligible to start distributions, however, after you return to work.
If you are invested with AXA Equitable, Hartford Life, ING, Nationwide, or VALIC, contact them directly at the numbers listed below to request payment from your account.
| AXA Equitable | 877-800-7279 opt 3 |
| Hartford Life | 800-528-9009 |
| ING | 800-555-1970 or in Des Moines at 515-698-7973 |
| Nationwide | 877-677-3678 opt 1, then opt 2 |
| VALIC | 800-945-6763 |
If you are invested with any other provider, you must complete a RIC Distribution Form and return it to DAS-HRE. Contact your provider to see if they also require a form to be completed. It is important to review the Special Tax Notice before you take payment.
If you are rehired by the State, you may restart your contributions.
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IPERS
If you are a non-vested employee with less than 6 months of covered service at the time of layoff, you will receive a refund of your IPERS contributions.
If you are a non-vested employee with less than seven years of covered service, you may leave your IPERS contributions in the system. A refund may be requested at any time. Interest will be credited to your account until a distribution is made.
If you are an employee with seven or more years of covered service (or are 65 years of age or older while employed in an IPERS-covered job), you are a vested member of IPERS. Vested members are allowed to leave their contributions in the system until they apply for retirement benefits, or a refund may be requested at any time. Contributions left in the system earn interest until a distribution is made.
Please contact IPERS for additional information.
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Workers' Compensation
If you are receiving Workers' Compensation prior to a layoff, you will continue to receive this benefit until such time as you are released from a doctor's care. However, any vacation or sick leave that is supplementing a Workers' Compensation payment shall be discontinued upon layoff.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
You are eligible to use EAP services for 30 days after layoff.
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Hawk-I and Other Services from the Department of Human Services
HAWK-I (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) is a health insurance program for children and teens, ages 0-19, whose parents do not have health insurance for them. You may qualify for this program for your children if you meet the eligibility and income guidelines. For more information and an application form, call 1-800-257-8563.
You may meet eligibility guidelines for other assistance programs. Please contact your local DHS office for information on food stamps, Medicaid, emergency assistance and other economic assistance.
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Last updated 02/25/2013