LONG TERM DISABILITY

PROCEDURES FOR FILING FOR LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Qualifications:   Three years of continuous, full-time ISU service in a regular, benefits eligible position. 

 To be eligible for benefits, you must be unable to work as a result of sickness or injury for at least 180 days (waiting period).  Also, you must provide medical information supporting your claim of disability to Hartford who will make the determination of disability. 

 Leave time usage:  While you are unable to work, you should file for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act which provides job protection for serious health conditions (paid or unpaid) for up to 12 weeks.  You may use accrued sick leave/vacation/convenience day balances until the disability approval date. If leave balances are exhausted before the end of the waiting period, you may request a medical leave without pay for no more than three months.  Payment of sick leave may not exceed six calendar months of use or extend beyond disability effective date.   

 To file with The Hartford disability, the following information will be needed:

•   Name, address, phone number and Social Security Number

•  Date of hire and Supervisor’s name and phone number, and email address

•   List ISU as the employer @ 210 North 7^th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47809

•   The first date you were unable to work and diagnosis, etc.

•   Name, address and phone number of physicians; date last seen, date to see next

•     Names/dosage of prescription drugs

More information will be requested later. 

You must also file for Social Security Disability:  You should also call Social Security Administration (800-772-1213) or locally at 812-232-6690 to file for Social Security disability.  This can be handled entirely by phone and mail if you wish.  Each time you receive a Social Security decision, forward a copy to Hartford.  If denied, call Social Security for an appeal—eventually you may need a hearing which should be pursued to ensure maximum benefits.

 Public Employees Retirement Fund:  For employees under PERF, the State of Indiana guidelines provide disability protection for employees who have five years of service under PERF.  However, you must receive Social Security disability in order to receive PERF disability.  If you have five or more PERF years, you may not apply or draw anything from PERF until you have separated from service from ISU.

 TIAA-CREF: Employees who have TIAA-CREF with ISU cannot withdraw funds until you have separated from service.  TIAA-CREF does allow disability withdrawals only after separation from service.

 Hartford Benefits paid:  If approved, an income payment of 66 2/3 percent* of the base appointment salary earned at the time disability commenced.  Base salary does not include summer pay, stipends, one-time-only payments, overtime or any other additional payments.  *The guarantee of 66 2/3 per cent of income is from all sources funded by ISU (Social Security, Indiana Public Employees’ Retirement Fund and worker’s compensation payments/PPI settlements. The minimum payment from Hartford is $100 per month. 

 

Maximum Duration of Benefits Table

Age When Disabled	Benefits Payable
Prior to age 63	To Normal Retirement age or 42 months, if greater
Age 63	To Normal Retirement age or 36 months, if greater
Age 64	30 months
Age 65	24 months
Age 66	21 months
Age 67	18 months
Age 68	15 months
Age 69 and over	12 months

                                   

Normal Retirement Age means the Social Security Normal Retirement age as stated in the 1983 revision of the United States Social Security Act.  It is determined by your date of birth as follows.

 

Social Security Normal Retirement Age

                                   

Year of Birth	Normal Retirement Age
1937 or before	65
1938	65 + 2 months
1939	65 + 4 months
1940	65 + 6 months
1941	65 + 8 months
1942	65 + 10 months
1943 thru 1954	66
1955	66 + 2 months
1956	66 + 4 months
1958	66 + 6 months
1959	66 + 8 months
1960 or after	67

                                                           

Along with the income payment from Hartford, a contribution will be made (by Hartford) into a retirement annuity on your behalf while you are disabled. When disability income payments cease, this annuity could be used for income.

The Income you Receive from Hartford is taxable.  Since the premium for the Long-Term Disability policy is paid for in full by ISU, any income you receive will be taxable as regular income during disability.

 Health/Life Insurance Coverage:  You must have 20 or more years of service AND have had the ISU health coverage for at least 20 years to be eligible to retain the University health coverage and a portion of the life insurance coverage as a disability retirement.  A spouse would also have to have the ISU health coverage for 20 years.  NOTE:  Only individuals who were hired prior to January 1, 2005 AND those who have had health coverage for 20 years (and the spouse) are eligible to retain the ISU health coverage after disability. If approved for disability with the University’s disability carrier with less then 20 years of service, your employment status is that of involuntary separation due to disability.  Individuals with less than 20 years of service may NOT keep the University-sponsored health or life insurance coverage beyond the effective date of the disability.  COBRA continuation benefits would be offered for health coverage.  Conversion coverage may be offered for life insurance coverage with rates based upon age.  Portability and conversion will be offered for voluntary life insurance.  You must file for conversion and/or portability coverage within 31 days of leaving ISU to retain life/voluntary life insurance coverage.  

Medicare begins:  If approved for Social Security Disability, after 24 months of paid benefits, Medicare parts A and B are automatically available.  (Renal failure disability and some other separate diagnoses may have an earlier Medicare effective date.) If you receive Social Security disability prior to leaving ISU, you must provide a copy of your award to Staff Benefits for COBRA purposes.  Failure to do so may result in a loss of COBRA continued health coverage rights. 

Your employment status:  Your job is not held after the effective date of disability.  There are no future rights to a job at Indiana State University should your medical condition improve.                                                              

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