In the event of the extended illness of an employee and after having exhausted all accumulated sick days, bonus days and vacation days, then a request may be made to the Department of Human Resources for extended sick pay benefits. The employee's prior work record with regard to usage of sick days and the employee's seniority will be taken into account in determining the eligibility of the employee for such extension. In the event the request is not granted, the employee shall be notified of such action. The answer to the request must be furnished in writing to both the employee and the Union. In the event a sick and accident insurance benefit mutually agreeable is secured, then this benefit shall be discontinued.