State law has changed the disability coverage for emergency dispatchers employed by VRS-participating political subdivisions.
Starting July 1, report all emergency dispatchers to VRS using the following job names in myVRS Navigator:
- Emergency Dispatcher for dispatchers employed generally by political subdivisions.
- Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatcher for dispatchers employed by sheriff’s offices in political subdivisions.
For current dispatchers hired before July 1, 2026, enter July 1, 2026, as the start date for the job name change — do not backdate. For new hires on or after July 1, 2026, enroll the member with the appropriate dispatcher job name.
Once you make the update, VRS will send the members a letter explaining the change to their VRS reporting and confirming their disability benefits.
For instructions on how to make changes to a job name, see the Adding New Information to Employee Records process guide. Login is required for access. For credentials, email externalVLC@varetire.org with your full name and work email address.
Background
- As of July 1, all eligible dispatchers employed by participating political subdivisions are covered under the Virginia Local Disability Program or the employer’s comparable program, unless they opted out between February 1 and March 31.
- VRS Plan 1 and Plan 2 dispatchers who opted out during the February 1 – March 31 window will remain covered under VRS disability retirement.
Questions?
You can direct employees to the Emergency Dispatchers webpage for details on the coverage changes and quick links to their plan handbooks.
For further assistance, call or email VRS Employer Support at 1-888-827-3847 or employersupport@varetire.org.
