Delta Pilots Mutual Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Facts – Dispelling Misconceptions

You have 730 days of benefits available in your career. One event cannot exceed 365 days; however, you can file for DPMA benefits more than twice in your career.
DPMA benefits are counted by the day, not by the month. For example, if you begin disability (SLOA) on 7/30, two days will be deducted from your lifetime benefit amount for July.
“I was only sick for one trip, I didn’t go on disability.” You are still eligible to file for DPMA benefits for the days you were sick without sick leave if you submit a completed DPMA Disability Claim Form signed by a doctor, even if you do not file for Delta Disability through Harvey Watt.
I didn’t receive a 1099 from DPMA – DPMA does not issue an IRS W-2 or 1099 for disability benefit payments. DPMA benefits are not taxable and DPMA dues are not tax-deductible under IRS Code section 501(c)(9).

Find answers to commonly asked questions below:

Pay & Benefits
Bidding
Vacation
Pass Travel and Jumpseat
Return to Work

Pay and Benefits:

When and how do I get paid by DPMA?

DPMA benefits are paid on the 18th* of the month for the prior month’s disability. Your DPMA benefit payment can be deposited directly into the financial institution of your choice or a check can be mailed to your address of record.

*NOTE: If you select ACH your bank may deposit your payment early, however the 18th is your intended payment date.

How much do get paid by DPMA?

The DPMA benefit is currently calculated as: FAE x 25%. Your monthly FAE is provide by Delta and is calculated as the average of the highest 12 consecutive months out of the previous 36 months of active status. DPMA benefits are not taxable.

Is profit sharing considered in the calculation of my FAE?

Yes, profit sharing checks that you received in prior Februarys are included in the 36 month look back that Delta uses to calculate your FAE.

Bidding:

Should I continue to bid while on sick leave?

Yes. Shadow bidding is available up until your SLOA date.

Vacation

What happens to my vacation while I'm on disability?

Once you begin disability, you can no longer take vacation. Your vacation hours will remain in the bank until you return to active status. Once on active status, you can rebid and use any remaining vacations. If you are on TD or LTD at the end of March, and have any unused vacation bank, the remaining balance will be paid on April 15th.

Pass Travel and Jumpseat:

Can I jumpseat while on disability?

No. While on disability a pilot is not eligible for jumpseat privileges. Contact the Pilot Assist or Chief Pilot Office for further information.

Can my family and I pass travel while I am out sick or on disability?

Generally, while on sick leave a pilot cannot use pass travel privileges. However, under certain circumstances (such as maternity), the Pilot Assist or the Chief Pilot Office can authorize pass travel on a case by case basis.

Once you are approved for temporary disability, you are again eligible for active employee pass travel privileges and may travel at your regular S3 or S2 priority level.

After you transition to long term disability, your travel privilege is determined by your age and years of service, and all travel is at the S3B priority level.

Other people listed under your PPR remain eligible for unrestricted pass travel during your sick and temporary disability periods.

Can I use Known Crew Member lines while on disability?

Your KCM access will continue for 30 days for those who are absent from flying (effective 8/30/21).

Return to Work:

Do I have any sick time when I return to work?

After returning from disability status, you will have no sick leave until you fulfill the requirements set forth in the PWA, Section 14. Your sick leave balance will not recharge until you have completed all required training, including OE.

Additionally, if you’ve used all of your sick leave for the present sick leave year, your sick bank won’t be reset until June 1st when the new sick leave year begins.

However, the PWA does allow you to debit up to 50 hours of sick leave from your following sick year bank, and move it into the current sick year if you so desire. See PWA, Section 14 for more information.

Who do I notify that I am returning to work?

When you are in receipt of a valid medical from the FAA and ready to return to flying, call the Pilot Assist, and send them a copy of your medical. The Pilot Assist, will in turn, notify all of the applicable agencies to schedule training and turn on your access to DBMS.

In addition, if you have been out more than 120 days, you will need to have your medical status certified by the Delta Director of Health Services per Section 15 of the PWA.

Delta Airlines plane taxing at an airport in Boston

Acronyms/Terms

Event Date / First Day Sick: This is the day you called in sick for your first duty period (trip, reserve day, or training period).
SLOA/SLED: Sick Leave of Absence – This is the day you exhaust sick leave and transition to disability.
Temporary Disability (TD): Temporary Disability begins the day you call in sick and runs concurrently in the background. TD benefits begin when you exhaust your sick leave.
Enhanced Disability Benefit: A supplement disability benefit based on the number of sick leave hours used in previous sick leave years. This is paid by Delta concurrently with TD prior to DPMA.
Final Average Earnings (FAE): Highest 12 consecutive months out of the previous 36 months of active status.
DHS: Director of Health Services (Dr. Van)
PRT: Pilot Resource Team: DPMA pilot volunteers who have detailed and specific knowledge about the disability process, specific disabilities, return to work, and state disability.