Protected Leaves And Disability

San Bernardino County provides different programs to allow for time away from work. See below for links to each program.

Family and Medical Leave Act

The Code establishes standards of conduct required of all public officials and employees for the The Family Medical Leave Act allows you to take up to 12 weeks (26 weeks in some cases) of unpaid, job-protected leave. View the What’s Family Medical Leave Act for more information. For questions call MetLife at 1.855.229.7305, visit MetLife’s Portal, or you can reach Employee Benefits and Services Division (EBSD) at 1.909.387.5787 or EBSDLeaves@hr.sbcounty.gov.

How to File a Request for FMLA
  1. If possible, let your supervisor know about your leave 30 days in advance.
  2. Follow all of your Department’s normal call-off procedures.
  3. Contact MetLife to request FMLA at 1.855.229.7305 between 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. PST, Monday – Friday
    1. For leave absences four days or longer, call MetLife by the 4th day to report your absence and request FMLA protection
    2. For intermittent leave, call MetLife within 48 hours of your absence. You may also report intermittent leave at mybenefits.metlife.com
      1. Instructions on creating a MyBenefits account
      2. My Benefits Manager Slip Sheet
      1. MetLife FAQ Sheet
      2. Request for Extended Sick & Special Leave (RESSL)
      3. Leave Integration Request (STD Claims Only)
      4. Benefits While on Leave Letter that explains benefit continuation options during a leave.

      Short-Term Disability

      You can protect a portion of your income when illness or injury prevents you from working. If you have any questions, call EBSD at 1.909.387.5787 or email at EBSDLeaves@hr.sbcounty.gov, contact your payroll specialist, or MetLife at 1.855.229.7305 or mybenefits.metlife.com.

      How the Plan Works

      The County provides you with Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits in the event of a non-work related illness or injury that requires you to be off work more than seven (7) consecutive days. After you satisfy a waiting period of 7 consecutive calendar days you will generally receive a normal weekly benefit equal to 55% of your base weekly earnings, not to exceed established amounts.

      Your base weekly benefit may be reduced if you receive or are entitled to receive other disability payments, such as State Disability Insurance (SDI).

      • Benefits While on Leave Letter
      • Short Term Disability Calculator
      How to file a Claim for STD

      Here’s what you need to do:

      1. If possible, let your supervisor know about your leave 30 days in advance.
      2. No later than your fourth day of absence, contact your department payroll specialist to obtain County required paperwork.
      3. Call MetLife, the County’s disability provider, at 1.855.229.7305 from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. PST, Monday – Friday, or file online at mybenefits.metlife.com.
      4. You must complete and submit a STD and FMLA Filing a Request Instructions and Form, which includes:
        1. MetLife FAQ Sheet
        2. Request for Extended Sick & Special Leave (RESSL)and Leave Integration Request
        3. Benefits While on Leave Letter that explains benefit continuation options during a leave.

        You can obtain an STD and FMLA Packet from your department payroll specialist.

        Long-Term Disability

        Long-Term Disability is a County-paid benefit that provides partial income replacement for Fire Management Unit and Exempt employees that are unable to work due to a non work-related disability. The benefit pays 60% of your monthly salary, not to exceed established amounts. If you have questions, call EBSD at 1.909.387.5787 or email at EBSDLeaves@hr.sbcounty.gov, contact your payroll specialist, or reach MetLife at 1.855.229.7305 or mybenefits.metlife.com.

        • Long-Term Disability Plan document- The Standard
        • Long-Term Disability Plan document- MetLife
        How to File a Claim for LTD

        Call MetLife, the County’s disability provider, at 1.855.229.7305 from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. PST, Monday – Friday, or file a claim online at mybenefits.metlife.com.