Employers FAQs on Health Leaves & Free Accrual

Q. What happens if a member who is on a health leave, but has not yet qualified for free accrual, recovers, returns to work, and then becomes ill again?

A. If a member returns to his or her job during the first 15 weeks of a health leave – even for one day or less – the health leave ends. If the member becomes sick again, a new health leave begins, and the member must make contributions on any earnings received for the first 15 weeks of the subsequent health leave.

Q. What happens if a member is on a health leave for 15 weeks, is approved for free accrual recovers, returns to work, and then becomes ill again for the same medical reason?

A. If a member is approved for free accrual, returns to work and goes on health leave again, for the same medical reason within three weeks of being approved for free accrual, the health leave is considered unbroken. The member will be credited with free accrual for both the period of time when he or she returned to work, as well as during the second absence.

In this case, because free accrual relates to the same disability, HOOPP will treat the first absence as part of the second, and the employer must refund any contributions the disabled member may have made while working between the two periods of absence.

Q. What happens if a member is on a health leave for 15 weeks, is approved for free accrual, recovers, returns to work, and then becomes ill again for a different medical reason?

A. If after 15 weeks on a health leave, a member is approved for free accrual, returns to work and gets sick for a different reason, he or she would start a new health leave, would make contributions on any earnings received during the first 15 weeks of the second health leave, and would have to submit medical evidence of his/her disability for HOOPP's approval before receiving free accrual after the end of the 15 weeks.

If after 15 weeks on a health leave, a member is approved for free accrual, and returns to work for more than three weeks, and later starts another health leave for the same or different health reasons, the two leaves cannot be joined. The member must make contributions until the end of the 15th week of the new health leave on any income received from a HOOPP employer; if the member submits medical evidence of his/her disability that is approved by HOOPP, the member can receive free accrual.

Q. What is free accrual?

A. After the first 15 weeks of a health leave, if a member provides medical evidence to HOOPP and the Plan Physician determines that the member is disabled (as defined by HOOPP) they receive free accrual until a date determined by HOOPP, at which time the member will have to provide additional medical evidence to prove he or she continues to qualify for free accrual. Free accrual means that they are provided with contributory service, without making contributions.

For more information on free accrual and rehabilitation programs, please see disability FAQs.