The Department of Labor and Training (DLT) announced today that the Temporary Caregiver Insurance program (TCI), signed into law by Governor Chafee in July, became effective January 5, 2014. The TCI program provides up to four (4) weeks of wage replacement benefits to workers who need to be out of work in order to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law or grandparent or to bond with a newborn child, adopted child, or foster child.
A claim cannot be filed until the individual has been out of work for at least seven consecutive days due to the need to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Bonding claims may be filed by both parents but only during the first 12 months of parenting. Proof of a parent-child relationship is required.
The TCI program, administered by DLT's Temporary Disability Insurance Division, is financed entirely by employee payroll deductions (workers aged 14 and 15 are exempt from wage deductions and coverage). Monetary eligibility requirements for TCI are the same as for Temporary Disability Insurance. Claimants must have worked in RI and paid into the TDI fund. An individual may be eligible to receive up to four weeks of TCI benefits during a "Benefit Year Period," (52 consecutive weeks on the calendar).
Eligibility details and the secure internet application can be accessed at www.dlt.ri.gov/tdi. Individuals may also download a paper application from the same site to complete and return to: TDI, P.O. Box 20100, Cranston, RI 02920. To request a paper application be mailed, individuals should call (401) 462-8420 and select Option #1. Customer service representatives are available Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 8:00-3:30; Wednesday from 8:00-11:30; and Friday from 9:00-3:30.