How Short-Term Disability Benefits Work

Short-term disability benefits are paid to you if you suffer an illness or injury that is not work-related. You will receive $170 per week (or $270 per week if you are pregnant) during your disability for up to 26 weeks.

If your application is approved, a check will be mailed to the address you provide on your application.

Employee FICA taxes, in addition to federal and state taxes, will be deducted from your payment. Short-term disability benefits begin after you have used all your sick leave or after a waiting period of 30 days, whichever occurs later.

Benefits are payable only for periods during which you are certified as unable to perform your job duties by your attending physician. Physician certification is required at least monthly. Periods of disability of less than one week will be pro-rated based on a five-day workweek.

Benefits are not payable if your disability is the result of:

• Injuries or diseases resulting from or sustained during service in the armed forces of the United States or any other nation.
• Injuries or diseases resulting from or sustained by you while in the service of another employer during a period of leave of absence or layoff from METRO.
• Illness or injury caused or resulting directly or indirectly from the use of narcotics or your criminal misconduct.
• If you become disabled due to work-related illness or injury, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation or Compensation under similar legislation.

Applying for Short-Term Disability Benefits

Contact Health & Welfare Plan and request a Short-Term Disability application.

If you have already received a short-term disability benefit from the Plan, you can submit a new claim for STD benefits only after you have returned to work for at least 28 calendar days. The 28-day rule for a new claim does not apply if you return to work sooner than 26 weeks, stay for no more than 45 calendar days, and cannot continue working due to the same condition that led to your first STD claim.

Continuing Your Health & Welfare Coverage While You Are Disabled

While you’re on short-term disability for any reason, you are required to make your Health & Welfare monthly premium payments. The Health & Welfare Plan does not bill you or send notice that payment is due. If you do not make your payments, you will lose your medical coverage, life insurance, and short-term disability coverage.

Your Health & Welfare monthly premium payments will be deducted from your short-term disability payments. You can have your STD payments deposited directly (via electronic payment) to your bank account. Contact the Health & Welfare Plan for more information about this process.

Collecting Disability Benefits While You Wait for a Workers’ Compensation Appeal Determination

If you agree to re-pay your benefits to the Plan if your injury or illness is compensable under Workers’ Compensation or similar legislation, you can receive your disability benefits pending the appeal determination.

When Disability Benefits End

Your short-term disability benefits will end at the earliest of:

• when you return to work
• when you are deemed able to return to work by your attending physician
• when you retire
• when your maximum benefit of 26 weeks has expired

Employees voluntarily participating in the Employee Assistance Program may be eligible for short-term disability benefits for up to 26 weeks if they comply with the program.