Benefits
Day-to-Day Substitutes and Full-Time Substitutes may be eligible for different types of benefits. Please read below for information regarding time off, health benefits, PSERS pension benefits, work-related injuries, travel reimbursements, and more resources.
Sick Days and Vacation Days
Day-to-Day Substitutes are not eligible for sick days or vacation days.
Full-Time Substitutes are eligible for 6 sick days. Full-Time Substitutes are not eligible for vacation days.
Health Benefits
Eligibility
Day-to-Day Substitutes are not eligible for health benefits.
Full-Time Substitutes who have reached Step 2 of the Full-Time Substitute salary schedule are eligible for health benefits. Once you reach Step 2, you will receive an email from Human Resources informing you that you are now eligible to enroll in Health Benefits. For more information on how to move to Step 2 of the Full-Time Substitute salary schedule, please see Pay and Payroll Schedule.
Enrollment
Full-Time Substitutes on Step 2 must enroll online using the eBenefits system within 31 days of their eligibility date. An email with the eBenefits Enrollment guide will be sent to them if they become benefits eligible. They will be able to access the eBenefits online system within 7 days following your benefits eligible date.
If they become eligible on or before the 15th of the month, benefits will be effective the first day of the next month. If you become eligible after the 15th of the month, benefits will be effective the first day of the 2nd month.
End of Health Benefits
You will be enrolled in benefits as long as you remain on Step 2 or 3 of the Full-Time Substitute salary schedule. For more information, please reference Article 91, Section 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Teachers and Other Professionals.
If you are a Step 2 or Step 3 Full-Time Substitute who is currently receiving Pittsburgh Public Schools benefits, your benefits will end approximately one month following your return to Day-to-Day Substitute status.
PSERS Pension Benefits
PSERS, the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, is a governmental, cost-sharing, multiple-employer retirement plan to which the public-school employers, the Commonwealth of PA., and school employees (members) contribute.
Membership with PSERS
PSERS membership is mandatory for qualifying employees of Pennsylvania public school entities. Qualification is determined by employment type and the amount of service rendered during a school year (July 1 – June 30) as defined by PSERS, not the employer.
Day- to-Day Substitute teachers are classified as part-time per-diem employees. You must initially meet certain qualifications to become a member of PSERS. As a Day-to-Day Substitute teacher, you must work at least 80 days in a school year to become eligible for PSERS membership. Once you become eligible for membership, your paycheck will reflect the deduction of pension contribution that will be paid to PSERS.
If you have any questions regarding PSERS, you may contact the local PSERS office at 412-920-2014.
Work Related Injuries
Please review the Work-Related Injuries Procedures.
Travel reimbursements
Please review the Travel and Expense Policy.
Unemployment
Pittsburgh Public Schools does not determine unemployment eligibility. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry handles unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
More Resources
For further information on the benefits of a Full-Time Substitute, please reference Article 91 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Teachers and Other Professionals.
If you have questions regarding your benefits, submit a Help Desk Ticket on Let’s Talk by emailing support@pghschools.org or calling (412) 529-HELP (4357).
