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The surviving beneficiaries need to notify two agencies:
Each agency requires a certified copy of the death certificate, in additional to the deceased employee’s name, Social Security Number, and LAUSD employee number; whether the person was on active teaching status, retired, disabled or a beneficiary under the option selection; date of death; and name, address and telephone number of a contact person. It is recommended that the family request at least six certified copies of the death certificate.
A Beneficiary Information Questionnaire will be sent to the contact person within five days of the date CalSTRS receives notice of death. The questionnaire serves as an official acknowledgement of receipt of notification. When the completed questionnaire is returned to CalSTRS, it provides them with the most current information on the decedent’s family and estate. The information is necessary to identify the eligible beneficiaries for various benefits. Most applications for survivor benefits can be taken over the phone. CalSTRS usually pays survivor benefits with- in 45 days of receiving the last required document. However, payment can be delayed if documentation (such as a marriage license or death certificate) is not received in a timely manner, or because of the absence of a valid beneficiary designation form on file with a current beneficiary address.
The California State Teachers Retirement System provides benefits in accordance with established procedures as designated on the member’s beneficiary statement. These benefits could include a lump sum death benefit and either survivor benefits or retirement benefits, according to the circumstances. A few certificated employees have been members of the California Public Employees Retirement System and may have remained in PERS when they became certificated. This usually is when the employee’s first paid status with LAUSD was as a classified employee. In that event, CalPERS should be the retirement system that is notified. The processing for either system requires about three to five months. The addresses for the two systems are:
Claims Section, Member Services Division POB 15275-C, Sacramento, CA 95851
(800) 228-5453 www.calstrs.com
California Public Employees Retirement System
POB 94211, Sacramento, CA 94229-2711
(888) 225-7377 www.calpers.ca.gov
This office needs to be contacted in order for beneficiaries to receive the proceeds of the $20,000 life insurance policy provided for each eligible District certificated employee who dies while in active status. Additionally, if the deceased person was covered by an additional group life insurance policy through LAUSD, this office will initiate that process as well.
LAUSD-paid health benefits are only for the life of the employee/retiree. A surviving spouse who wants to continue health insurance coverage at his/her own expense, must notify LAUSD within 60 days of the death of the covered employee/retiree or will forfeit the right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. This is outlined in the Open Enrollment materials that go out each year.
LAUSD Benefits Administration
POB 512298, Los Angeles, CA 90051-0298 Call: (213) 241-4262 Fax: (213) 241-4247
In-person: go to 333 S. Beaudry Ave. LA Email: benefits@lausd.net
When a certificated employee on active status dies, several actions are implemented. Of particular concern to beneficiaries is that the law requires any war- rant for salary due the deceased employee be sent to the Office of the County Superintendent of Schools before distribution to the proper parties. Once approved by the County, the check is returned to LAUSD for distribution to the employee’s designated beneficiary. Also, if the decedent was an active employee, it is a good idea to check the voluntary payroll deductions section of their last salary war- rant. Any organizations for which a deduction is list- ed should be contacted, especially since it could be for insurances or 403b plans.
Contact: LAUSD Payroll Services Salary Delivery Unit at (213) 241-3186 or the LAUSD Employee Service Center at (213) 241-6670
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
9300 East Imperial Highway Downey, CA 90242
(562) 922-6111
Most UTLA bargaining unit members do not pay into the Social Security System through LAUSD. However, some employees may have earned qualifying credits either from previous jobs or second jobs. Contact the Social Security Administration to deter- mine eligibility for benefits: (800) 772-1213.
If the deceased served in the U.S. Armed Forces, contact the Regional Office of the Veteran’s Administration, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024; (800) 827-1000.
Survivors can contact UTLA at (213) 487-5560 and ask for the Membership Office. That office will check membership records to determine if there are any benefits due the family.
There are two credit unions that UTLA members commonly use. They should be contacted to see if the decedent had any open accounts.
California Credit Union: 420 N. Rosenell Terrance Los Angeles, CA 90026-4996
(213) 484-0127 or (800) 334-8788
First Financial Federal Credit Union
POB 1110
West Covina, CA 91790
(800) 537-8491
It is important to note that the various agencies can only pay benefits to the last beneficiary designated by the employee. These designations may be made at various times through the employee’s career and may be different for each benefit. It is very important that employees take the time to review their beneficiary information so that it reflects their current wishes.
If an active employee’s death was work-related, contact the firm listed below. Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton and Goldstein
The Paramount Plaza, Suite 1800 3580 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 739-7000 or (213) 487-1520
How teachers and support personnel are remembered varies widely from site to site and from person to person. Some sites involve faculty, students, community, and the deceased’s family to plan appropriate memorials. Others pretty much ignore the whole thing.
All teachers and support staff members play a vital part in the development of students and deserve to be remembered. An appropriate memorial not only honors the person it provides an opportunity for those whose lives were touched to say goodbye. Whether it’s a memorial service, a scholarship, tree, book, or some other item, it can be a learning experience teaching students valuable lessons about dealing with death and showing respect for the contributions people make in their lives.
Contact the UTLA Communications Department by email at contact@utla.net
Please feel free to call the hotline numbers with any questions about the COVID-19 virus.
Students and families can call the mental health hotline for help to manage fear, anxiety and other challenges related to COVID-19. It is staffed by counselors and mental health professionals to provide support in both English and Spanish.
Teachers can also call and get advice on how to connect their students to services.
If you need immediate emergency assistance, please call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you may call our LAUSD Student Health and Human Services Hotline at (213) 241-3840 Monday through Friday from 6:00 am-6:00 pm or any of the following agencies (24/7): LA County Department of Mental Health (800) 854- 7771 | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)
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