Long term disability coverage provides a monthly income replacement that is either a percentage of gross pre-disability earnings or a specified dollar amount. Variations do exist so be sure to check the summary plan description for details. The initial enrollment period is the best time to enroll if you have a pre-existing condition. During the initial enrollment period, you are not subject to medical underwriting.

Long term disability coverage provides wage replacement to individuals who experience wage loss due to a disability. LTD coverage lasts for at least one year.

Short term disability coverage provides monthly income replacement that is either a percentage of gross pre-disability earnings or a specified dollar amount. Benefit variations do exist, so be sure to check the summary plan description for details.

If you reduce work hours due to a disability and the appropriate provision is included in your policy, you may be eligible to receive partial benefits. Check the summary plan description for details. Also, you may want to consider consulting a benefits planner about State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security disability programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Copyright © 2007 World Institute on Disability.

Long term disability coverage can be obtained either by a group or individually. Group coverage can be offered through an employer, professional group or association. Individual coverage can be purchased directly from an insurance broker based upon medical underwriting. Individual policies are usually available if you have not had any medical treatment during the past 10 years for a potentially disabling medical condition.

If long term disability coverage is offered from an employer, the individual must work for a specified period of time - known as a service wait - prior to becoming eligible for benefits. For professional or association-affiliated LTD coverage the individual must be a member of the group for a set period of time.

If you have employer-sponsored LTD coverage, you must meet the active work requirement to be eligible to enroll in LTD coverage. For professional or association-affiliated LTD coverage you must meet their specific requirements to be eligible to enroll in coverage. See summary plan description for further details.

A pre-existing condition is any medical condition for which “medical care” was received three to six months prior to the coverage effective date. LTD plans may have a pre-existing conditions exclusionary period. During this period of time, an individual's prior medical condition(s) will not be covered by the policy. However, after the pre-existing exclusionary period expires, the condition becomes covered under LTD coverage.

Enrollment and eligibility requirements depend on the type of long term disability coverage you have- group (employer, professional group, association) or individual. For example, if you have employer-sponsored LTD coverage, you will need to meet the active work requirement, which entails working a minimum number of hours per week.

Yes ? every year during Open Enrollment, eligible employees* can reconsider their choices for the upcoming year. Employees who are eligible for long term disability coverage are allowed to elect the base level of coverage (40% of monthly earnings, up to $4,000 per month) without having to provide further documentation.

Are you an employee or a medical school faculty member? The employee’s policy has a 90 day elimination period. Medical school faculty has a 90 or 180 day elimination period depending upon which plan he/she has.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program financed through general revenues. SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, have limited income and resources, meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible. The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate, which may be supplemented by the State or decreased by countable income and resources.

The period of a disability policy depends on the contract and on the company. You want one that will last at least until you are eligible for Social Security although a three to five year policy is cheaper. A few companies have policies that will pay for a lifetime along with Social Security after you turn 65, but this is rare and expensive. In any case, look for a policy that will not expire if you have to use it, but that would allow for several periods of disability.

Short term disability coverage provides wage replacement to individuals who experience wage loss due to a disability. STD coverage lasts for up to one year.

Long-Term Disability ("LTD") benefits are payments to an individual to replace lost income in the event of an injury or sickness resulting in an inability to work. Unlike Workers' Compensation benefits, State Disability benefits, or Social Security Disability Income benefits, LTD benefits are not required by law, nor are they provided by the government.

For classified employees, CNA will pay 60% of gross monthly salary. If disability is catastrophic there is an additional 10% given. For faculty members enrolled under TIAA, the plans have a 90 or 180 day elimination period before benefits are payable. The employee will receive 60% of monthly salary with offsets for most employer related benefits.

Long Term Disability (or Permanent Health Insurances) covers loss of income if you are unable to work through illness or injury. The amount payable depends on what you were previously earning. Consult a broker.

Yes, your LTD plan provides 24 hour coverage. However, income received from other sources, such as Worker's Compensation for being injured on the job will be integrated with your long term disability benefits.

Long Term Care is the assistance individuals need when they are unable to care for themselves. They need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting and eating. And, they may have cognitive impairment. The cost of long term care, even if provided at home, is high. And, most group medical plans and HMOs don't cover long term care expenses. One solution is the purchase of Long Term Care insurance.