Program Eligibility

Who Is Eligible

You are eligible to participate in the Long Term Disability Plan if you are:

A fulltime salaried employee regularly working at least 30 hours each week;

A fulltime employee paid at an hourly or daily rate regularly working at least 30 hours each week; or

A regularly scheduled parttime School Dentist, School Crossing Guard or City Council Investigator if earning at least Grade 1, Step 1 salary in Schedule B of the Salary resolution issued by the Department of Personnel.

You cannot participate in the LTD Plan if you are:

A seasonal employee;

An employee hired for a temporary program;

An emergency appointment employee;

An employee paid by voucher;

A Library Page;

A parttime employee;

An employee earning less than the Grade 1, Step I salary in Schedule B of the Salary resolution issued by the Department of Personnel; or

A fulltime member of the armed forces of any country.

When Coverage Begins

You are eligible for coverage on the first day of the calendar month following your date of hire as an employee described above.

If you do not enroll for coverage within 31 days of the date you become eligible, you will be required to submit evidence of insurability (proof of good health). A physical examination may be required. Late enrollees may be denied coverage based on the review of your health status.

Your Long Term Disability insurance becomes effective as follows:

The first day of the pay period for which a premium contribution can be taken if you apply for coverage within 31 days of the date you become eligible; or,

The later of:

(a) the first day of the pay period for which a premium deduction has been taken; and

(b) the date the insurance company approves your Evidence of Insurability, if you submit a late application and apply more than 31 days after you become eligible.

To enroll in the Long Term Disability Plan, you can obtain an application by contacting your department personnel office or by calling the Benefits Management Office, press #1 for customer service.

Active at Work Provision

If you are incapable of Active Work because of physical disease, injury, pregnancy or Mental Disorder on the day before the scheduled effective date of your eligibility for Long Term Disability insurance, your insurance will not become effective until the day after you complete one full day of Active Work.

Payment Benefit

Your monthly Long Term Disability Benefit would be 60% of your monthly Pre-disability Earnings, reduced by Deductible Income. The maximum Long Term Disability benefit is
$10,000 payable monthly.

Deductible Income includes, but is not limited to:

Sick pay, or other salary continuation;

Worker's compensation;

Social Security benefits, both primary and dependents;

Disability benefits from any other group insurance plan;

Disability or retirement benefits from an Employer retirement plan, other than amounts received from a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan;

Disability benefits under any state disability income benefit law or similar law;

Earnings from work activity while you are Disabled.

How Long Do LTD Benefits Continue?

LTD benefits continue during disability until age 65. If you become disabled at age 62 or older, an age graded Maximum Benefit Period applies.

When Benefit Payments Begin

If you qualify for Long Term Disability benefits, benefits become payable after you have been continuously disabled for 180 days (six months). This is called the Benefit Waiting Period. Premium payments for this period must be paid during this period. Payments should be sent to:

Benefits Management Office
Long Term Disability
333 S. State Street Room 400
Chicago, Illinois 60604-3978

In order to file a Long Term Disability claim after the Benefit Waiting Period has been completed, please contact the Benefits Management Office.

Shown below are examples of income levels displayed by age brackets so you can easily determine the approximate amount of premium that will be deducted from your paycheck. Premiums are based on 24 pay periods per year.

When Do LTD Benefits End?

The date you are no longer Disabled.

The date your Maximum Benefit Period ends.

The date benefits become payable under any other group long term disability insurance policy under which you become insured during a period of temporary recovery.

The date you die.

Exclusions and Limitations

You are not covered for a Disability caused or contributed to by:

war or act of war;

intentionally self-inflicted injury, while sane or insane; or

a pre-existing condition (unless, on the date you become Disabled, you have been continuously insured for at least 12 months and have been actively at work for at least one full day after the end of those 12 months).

Payment of LTD benefits is limited in duration if your disability is caused or contributed to by mental disorders, substance abuse or other limited conditions, including but not limited to the following:

chronic fatigue conditions;

allergy or sensitivity to chemicals or the environment;

chronic pain conditions;

carpal tunnel or repetitive motion syndrome;

temporomandibular joint disorder; or

craniomandibular joint disorder

No benefits are payable for any period when you are not under ongoing care physician.

WHEN COVERAGE ENDS

You are eligible to participate until the earliest of

The last day of the last pay period for which you made a premium contribution.

The date the Group Policy terminates.

The date your employment terminates.

The date you cease to meet eligibility requirements.

You may cancel this insurance at any time. However, if you cancel and later wish to reinstate this insurance, you will be required to submit Evidence of Insurability.

This policy is not convertible when you leave employment.

This is only a brief description of the Group Long Term Disability Policy. The controlling provisions are in the master Group Policy, and neither this description or the Certificate may modify those provisions or the insurance in any way.

Rates are subject to change.

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