Welcome to the Short Term Disability section of My Life at Children’s. Here you will find all the information you need about Short Term Disability Insurance. Select an option from the menu at the left for more details.
How the Plan Works
Children’s automatically provides Short Term Disability coverage to all benefits-eligible employees. This coverage replaces a portion of your pay if a non-occupational illness or injury (including surgery or pregnancy) prevents you from working for a short period of time. See the Short Term Disability Summary Plan Description (SPD) under Resources at the left for more detailed information.
Who Can Enroll
You are automatically enrolled in Short Term Disability coverage if you are a regular full-time employee of Children’s or a regular part-time employee who is committed to work at least 40 hours per pay period. Coverage begins the first day of the month following your date of hire.
What It Pays
Short Term Disability coverage is equal to 60% of your weekly base pay, up to a maximum benefit of $1,500 per week, whichever is less. Benefits are paid through the end of your disability or 90 days, whichever is less. If you were hired Jan. 1, 2012 or later and your disability occurs within the first 12 months of employment and is due to a pre-existing condition, benefits will only be paid for four weeks. No benefits will be paid until you have been unable to work for a 14-day elimination period.
| Benefits begin … |
After you meet 14-day elimination period |
| Plan pays … |
60% of your weekly base salary, up to $1,500 per week |
| Up to …* |
90 days |
| Cost of coverage paid by … |
Children's |
|
*If your disability occurs within the first 12 months of your coverage and is due to a pre-existing condition, benefits will only be paid for up to four weeks.
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Word to know: Pre-existing condition is an accidental bodily injury, sickness, mental illness, pregnancy or episode of substance abuse for which you received medical care during the six-month period before your coverage date.
Filing a Claim for Short Term Disability
It is your responsibility to file a claim for your Short Term Disability Benefits either before your scheduled absence, or as soon as possible for an unscheduled absence. You may start the claim process by contacting The Hartford directly by phone or online (see Contacts at the left). For more information, see How To File a Claim for Short Term Disability under Resources at the left.
Paying Taxes on Short Term Disability Benefits
You automatically receive tax-free disability benefits when you have a claim unless you submit a form requesting to have any disability benefits taxed when they are received. Having taxes deducted would greatly decrease your benefits. With tax-free disability benefits, you will receive the full 60% of your regular base pay, up to $1,500 per week.
If you keep the default option to receive tax-free benefits, the annual premium Children’s
pays for your coverage is considered taxable income and will be added to your W-2 as taxable income. See Short Term Disability Taxation at the left to estimate the taxable income that will be added to your W-2.
To opt out of the default taxation option and elect to have disability benefits taxed when you have a claim, complete the Disability Tax Form within 31 days of hire or at Annual Enrollment indicating that you elect to receive taxable disability benefit payments when you have a claim. It is recommended that you consult your financial advisor if you are considering taxable disability benefits.