ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS
PURPOSE:
To outline the definitions and requirements for an employee to be considered eligible for benefits.
AUTHORITY: West Virginia Board of Trustees Series 62
EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY:
This procedure applies to University employees: classified staff, non-classified, faculty and faculty equivalents/academic professionals (FE/AP) as defined below.
BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY:
In order for a classified, non-classified, or FE/AP position to be benefits eligible, the position must be created to last for at least nine months of a twelve month period and be scheduled to work a minimum of 1040 hours during the 12 twelve month period.
Faculty employed for a full academic year, with a minimum 9 month contract, with at least 6 credit hours teaching per semester or its equivalent are benefits eligible.
DETERMINATION OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENCY (FTE):
Classified, Non-Classified, and Faculty Equivalent/Academic Professional(FE/AP):
Full-time equivalency is the percentage of time (hours) for which a position is established, in a 12 month period, based on 1950 hours per fiscal year being a 1.00 full time equivalency (FTE).
Faculty:
Full-time equivalency for faculty members is determined by their workload, for an academic year, based on 1.00 FTE being the equivalent of teaching four three-credit undergraduate lecture courses in each of the two regular academic semesters (fall and spring).
DEFINITIONS:
Full-Time Regular Classified Employee:
Any employee in a regular classified position created to last a minimum of nine months in a twelve month period and working a minimum of 1040 hours during this period of time is considered full-time regular for benefits purposes. The FTE (full time equivalent) of such an appointment must be reported at no less than .53 FTE.
A full-time regular classified employee, as defined above, is benefits eligible, provided the employee meets the qualifying standards or conditions for each benefit. Where appropriate, benefits will be prorated for employees serving at less than 1.00 FTE, consistent with Board of Trustees and University policy.
Non-Classified Employee:
A non-classified employee is defined as an employee who is responsible for policy formation at the department or institutional level or who reports directly to the president.
A non-classified employee who has a minimum nine month appointment in a twelve month period and works a minimum of 1040 hours during that period is considered full-time regular for benefits purposes. The FTE of such an appointment must be reported at no less than .53 FTE.
A full-time regular non-classified employee, as defined above, is benefits eligible, provided the employee meets the qualifying standards or conditions for each benefit. Where appropriate, benefits will be prorated for employees serving at less than 1.00 FTE, consistent with Board of Trustees and University policy.
Full-Time Faculty:
A faculty member is considered full-time for benefits purposes and is eligible for benefits provided that the individual meets the criteria that establish benefits eligibility: at least a nine month contract, and teaching 6 credit hours per semester or the equivalent. The FTE of such an appointment must be reported at no less than .53 FTE.
A full-time faculty member, as defined above, is benefits eligible, provided the employee meets the qualifying standards or conditions for each benefit. Where appropriate, benefits will be prorated for employees serving at less than 1.00 FTE, consistent with Board of Trustees and University policy.
Faculty hired for only one academic semester are not benefits eligible, regardless of the number of teaching assignments, or of their subsequent re-employment on a one semester basis.
Faculty Equivalents/Academic Professionals (FE/AP):
Any employee in a FE/AP position created to last at least nine months in a twelve month period and working a minimum of 1040 hours during this period of time is considered full-time regular for benefits purposes. The FTE of such an appointment must be reported at no less than .53 FTE.
A FE/AP, as defined above, is benefits eligible, provided the employee meets the qualifying standards or conditions for each benefit. Where appropriate, benefits will be prorated for employees serving at less than 1.00 FTE, consistent with Board of Trustees and University policy.
PROCESSING:
All employees who meet the minimum benefits eligibility requirements should be identified on their Personal Action Forms and appointment letters as “full-time regular” employees in order to ensure that they receive benefits entitlement.
Retirement is state mandated for full-time regular employee. Contact Benefits immediately to set the employee up for a benefits session.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Additional information or questions regarding the benefits eligibility of classified or non-classified employees should be directed to the Benefits Unit in the Division of Human Resources at 293-5700. Additional information or questions regarding benefits eligibility for faculty or FE/AP employees should be directed to the Faculty Development Office at 293-2021.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 1, 1999
WVU POLICY REFERENCE: http://www.hr.wvu.edu/policies/wvu_hr_10_eligibility_for_benefits_policy
