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United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Non Pay Status

Last Modified: Jul 20, 2020
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This is provided to inform you of the effect of Non Pay Status on your employment and benefits. This information applies to the following types of actions:
 

TYPE OF ACTION 

DESCRIPTION 

IS AN SF-52, REQUEST FOR PERSONNEL ACTION, REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY YOUR SUPERVISOR? 

Leave Without Pay (LWOP) LWOP is an approved absence, requested by the employee and approved by the supervisor.
Yes:
  • for LWOP of 80 hours or more granted because of a workers compensation injury or illness, or
  • for LWOP of 80 hours or more granted for performance of active military duty (requires a copy of the military duty orders), or
  • for any other LWOP that is granted for more than 30 days, and
  • for any extensions of LWOP, and
  • for Return To Duty
Placement in Non Pay Status This is a condition of employment for employees with a seasonal work schedule.

Yes:

  • for Placement in Nonpay Status, and
  • for Placement in Pay Status
Furlough This is a temporary non pay and non duty status because of lack of funds or other nondisciplinary reasons. Consult Staffing Specialist before initiating action.

Yes:

  • for Furlough, and
  • for Return to Duty
Suspension This is a temporary non pay and non duty status for disciplinary reasons. Consult Employee Relations Specialist before initiating action.

Yes:

  • for Suspension, and
  • for Return to Duty
Absence Without Leave (AWOL)   No



The following chart does not apply to employees:
 

TYPE OF BENEFIT 

EFFECT OF LWOP OR NON PAY STATUS ON BENEFITS 

Service Credit

Up to 6 months of nonpay time in a calendar year is creditable in the service computation dates (SCD) for Leave, Reduction-in-Force, Retirement, and TSP vesting. Any nonpay time in excess of 6 months each calendar year will adjust the SCD.
Accrual of annual
and sick leave		 No leave is earned in any pay period during the leave year that the total hours in non pay status equals 80 or a multiple of 80 hours (for full time employees only).
Retirement coverage Coverage continues at no cost to the employee for non pay time.
Health Insurance FEHB enrollment continues for up to 365 days in non pay status. The Government contribution continues while employee is in non pay status, and the Government advances the employee share of FEHB to the health plan. The employee must respond to the FEHB options memo regarding repayment of the FEHB premiums. Previous periods of non pay status count toward the 365 days if the employee does not return to duty for at least 4 consecutive months.
Life Insurance Coverage continues for 12 consecutive months in a non pay status without cost to the employee or to the agency. Previous time in non pay status counts toward the 12 months if the employee does not return to duty for at least 4 consecutive months.
Thrift Savings Plan Employees should refer to the Effect of Non Pay Status on TSP Participation
Flexible Spending Account Employees should refer to the FSA Web site.
Federal Dental and Vision Insurance When a deduction is missed, the premiums may be double deducted until caught up, or the employee may be directly billed by BENEFEDS. Unpaid direct bills may result in termination of coverage. Contact BENEFEDS at 1-877-888-FEDS (1-877-888-3337) or email Service@BENEFEDS.com for premium payment questions.
Long Term Care Insurance If you pay for Federal Long Term Care Insurance through payroll deductions, you must pay your premiums directly and timely while in non pay status, or your coverage will be cancelled. Call the Customer Service Center at LTC Partners at 1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) (TTY 1-800-843-3557) to make alternative payment arrangements.
Within-grade increase for General Schedule Waiting Period for Step:

2 - 3 - 4

5 - 6 - 7

8 - 9 - 10		 Non Pay Time Allowed:

2 work weeks (80 hours for full time employee)

4 work weeks (160 hours for full time employee)

6 work weeks (240 hours for full time employee)
Within-grade increase for Federal Wage System Waiting Period for Step:

2

3

4 - 5		 Non Pay Time Allowed:

1 work week (40 hours for full time employee)

3 work weeks (120 hours for full time employee)

4 work weeks (160 hours for full time employee)
Time-in-grade
Requirements		 Any non pay status is creditable service.
Completion of Career Tenure The first 30 calendar days of non pay for each period of absence is creditable.
Completion of
Probation		 A total of 22 work days in non pay status is creditable service.


Questions? Contact your servicing Benefits Specialist.


(For employees of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs and the Merit Systems Protection Board)

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