Voluntary Disability Insurance (VDI)

This income protection plan pays a benefit if you are unable to work due to a non-work related injury or health condition, including pregnancy.

If you live in California, we automatically enroll you in the Stanford Voluntary Insurance Plan starting on your date of hire. If you live outside of California, you are automatically enrolled in short-term disability on your date of hire.

Eligibility

All employees who reside in California are eligible, including:

Temporary
Part-time
Full-time

Plan Information

Maximum of 52 weeks or maximum benefit amount
You are eligible for coverage starting on the first day of your employment
Stanford's VP provides the same disability and paid family leave maximum weekly benefit as EDD SD/PFL ($1,765). There are two benefit classes based on your annual income.
- Benefit Class 1: 70% of current weekly wages
- Benefit Class 2: 90% of current weekly wages
Both benefit classes are subject to plan limitations, exclusions and maximum benefit amounts.
Your benefit class is determined by your employee classification under the Stanford Voluntary Insurance Plan. If you earn more than $63,000 annually, you are in Benefit Class 1; if you earn less that $63,000 annually, you are in Benefit Class 2.
Staff may receive a reduced Stanford paycheck using the remainder of your sick, vacation, PTO or floating holiday accrual on the 7th and 22nd of each month
Faculty and Clinician Educators, contact your Faculty Affairs Officer or Human Resources Manager to see if other benefits are available

View the 2026 VDI Statement of Coverage

View the VDI Plan Updates as of December 31, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the Voluntary Insurance Plan by reviewing Frequently Asked Questions.
View full FAQ

Review Steps for Taking Leave

Guidelines, Policies & Forms

Administrative Guide 2.3.5

Disability Leaves Guide: Faculty | Staff

Alternative to VDI: State Disability Insurance

If you reside in California, you may choose to reject automatic enrollment in Stanford's Voluntary Plan and instead enroll in California EDD State Disability Insurance (SDI). To do so, you must complete a VDI Rejection Notice and submit it to your payroll department.

To return to the VDI plan, which you can do at any time, complete an SDI Rejection Notice.