Do substitute teachers get health benefits?

March 17, 2025

Whether substitute teachers get health benefits typically depends on their employment classification and job description within the school district. Questions about benefits — especially medical benefits — are always a factor when people apply for jobs. Typically, full-time employees are presented with medical benefits in school districts. When employees are not offered benefits, many look to coverage provided through the federal marketplace.

Factors in whether substitute teachers get health benefits.

Part-time classification:

School districts typically hire substitute teachers under a part-time, per diem, contract, or temporary classification. Therefore, most substitute teachers are not classified as full-time. As a result, most districts do not provide them with benefits.

Full-time classification:

Some districts may offer benefits to substitute teachers who work a certain number of days or hours or are considered full-time substitutes. Full-time employees often also receive paid time off and retirement benefits.

Some school districts hire long-term substitute teachers, who rotate through assignments for weeks at a time.
Districts may also hire building substitute teachers who work at a specific school. These are typically large schools with absences to cover daily. The school administration relies on these substitute teachers, who can commit to being there four or five days a week.

These positions have a higher chance of receiving full-time health benefits than short-term substitute teachers who work a more flexible or daily schedule. The district may require these employees to have additional teaching certifications.

Employment through staffing agency:

Many districts use education employment agencies to hire substitute teachers, like Kelly Education. As a dedicated and respected education staffing agency, voluntary benefits and professional development are provided for our substitute teacher workforce.

What defines a full-time school district employee?

Full-time employees are those who work for a school district for a specified number of days or hours during the week that constitute a full schedule. A full-time schedule is generally 35 to 40 hours per week. Regular full-time employees also tend to work the same schedule each week.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires employers who choose to offer health benefits to offer benefits to employees classified as full-time. In terms of benefits eligibility, the ACA defines full-time employment as those who work 30 hours a week or more.

What benefits are offered through Kelly Education?

Kelly Education partners with hundreds of school districts throughout the United States to hire high-quality substitute teachers. In addition to Kelly-sponsored ACA health coverage, Kelly Education substitute teachers are offered individual voluntary options that include:

Vision coverage
Dental coverage
Telemedicine
Critical illness coverage
Short-term disability
Life insurance
Accident insurance

Our substitute teachers are also eligible for:

Corporate discounts
Holiday pay plan
Complimentary employee well-being program
Access to retirement savings plans

Perks of being a substitute teacher.

When choosing to work as a substitute teacher, there are many other considerations. These are just a few of the perks of the job that go beyond the compensation package:

Job flexibility
A sense of purpose in helping today's youth
Extra income
Weekly pay
Diversity in experiences from day to day
Professional development
Skill enhancement
Connection and community

Grow as a Kelly Education substitute teacher.

When you work with Kelly Education, we provide training before you ever enter the classroom. Also, we have an entire library of helpful articles for substitute teachers. To get started, check these out:

Considering work in schools as a substitute teacher, tutor, or paraeducator? Fill out our brief interest form. One of our recruiters will contact you to share more about opportunities in their area to work with one of our district partners.