Short Term Disability Insurance | MetLife

Short Term Disability Insurance | MetLife

Short Term Disability Insurance

This coverage helps protect your income if you can’t work after an accident or illness due to a non-work related illness/injury.  

Here's what you need to know

Your paycheck is the economic engine you and your family rely upon to pay the bills each month (and save for the future, too).  What pays those bills if an illness, injury, or pregnancy temporarily prevents you from working – and your income stops or is reduced for a period of time?

 

Short Term Disability Insurance is a weekly disability income benefit as a result of a non-occupational "off-the-job" injury or sickness. If you're totally disabled by an injury or illness, MetLife’s short-term disability insurance can be there to help, helping pay the bills that won't go away just because you can't work: housing costs, food, car payments, and additional medical costs. You can focus on a full recovery and successful return to the workplace.

Your employer doesn’t want you to suffer financially if a short term disability happens to you. That’s why you now have access to voluntary short-term disability income insurance featuring:

 

  • Minimum benefits are the greater of 10% of gross benefit or $25 per week (subject to overpayments and rehab incentives) and a maximum benefit of $1,000 per week, not to exceed a 50% of the first $2,000 of base weekly income.
  • Coverage from leading disability provider: MetLife.
  • Pays benefit for up to 13 weeks.
  • Provides non-occupational coverage for injuries after 7 days and off-the job sickness after 7 days of total disability.

These are the periods when you are eligible to enroll:

 

  1. Within your new hire enrollment period
  2. If you have a qualifying life event (you get married, have a baby, etc.)
  3. During your employer’s annual enrollment 

 

Check with your employer’s human resources/benefits team for specifics about these timeframes.

 

Keep in mind: If you enroll during these timeframes, you have what is called "guaranteed issue," which means no medical questions or tests are required to enroll. Pre-existing condition limitations may apply.

 

If you make a late request for Short Term Disability Insurance, a Statement of Health is required.  A late request is one made after you were first eligible to enroll for Short Term Disability Benefits.

These form(s) are in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) format and are available for downloading and printing.

 

Plan Summary

How It Works

Number One Enroll Now Icon

You enroll in Short Term Disability Insurance

Number Two Doctor Checkup Icon

You become injured or ill and declared totally disabled by a physician

Number Three paperwork Icon

Submit a claim based on your plan

Number Four hand giving cash icon

Receive weekly benefit checks

During a bike ride, you fall and hurt your back.

You are unable to work for several months.

Some of your medical bills were covered by medical insurance. With Short Term Disability Insurance, you had a steady stream of income you could count on to help pay rent, car payments, utilities or even groceries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • When would my coverage start?

    Coverage is effective on the first day of the calendar month coincident with or next following the date you complete the waiting period of 60 days.
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  • How is “Disability” defined under this plan?

    Generally, you are considered disabled and eligible for short term benefits if, due to sickness, pregnancy or accidental injury:

    • you are receiving appropriate care and treatment
    • you are complying with the requirements of the treatment
    • you are unable to earn more than 80% of your predisability earnings at your own occupation for any employer; and you are unable to perform each of the material duties of your own occupation

     

    For a complete description of this and other requirements that must be met, refer to the Certificate of Insurance or contact MetLife with any questions.

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  • When do benefits begin and how long do they continue?

    Benefits begin after the end of the elimination period. The elimination period begins on the day you become disabled and is the length of time you must wait while being disabled before you are eligible to receive a benefit. The elimination periods is as follows:

    For Injury: 7 days. 

    For Sickness (includes pregnancy): 7 days.

     

    Benefits continue for as long as you are disabled up to a maximum duration of 13 weeks of disability. Your plan’s maximum benefit period and any specific limitations are described in the Certificate of Insurance provided by your employer.

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  • Does this plan cover pre-existing conditions?

    If you received medical treatment, consultation, care, or services; or took prescription medication or had medications prescribed related to the illness/injury in the three months prior to the effective date of coverage.

     

    We will not pay benefits for a disability that results from a pre-existing condition, if you have been actively at work for less than 12 consecutive months after the date your disability insurance takes effect.

Are you ready To Enroll?

Elect Short Term Disability Insurance to help feel more protected.

Do You Need Help?

Our team is ready

M-F 8a-5p CT

Phone Number: 1-855-429-8938
  • Legal Disclaimers

    Special Considerations: If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”), you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington, Connecticut, Oregon, Colorado, and New Hampshire, if eligible, you must apply for State Benefits. Your STD benefit will be reduced by State Benefits or other government benefits that apply. Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit. Please consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.

     

    METLIFE’S SHORT TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE IS A LIMITED BENEFIT GROUP INSURANCE POLICY. The policy or its provisions may vary or be unavailable in some states. Short Term Disability policies offered by MetLife may include a pre-existing condition exclusion. MetLife offers Short Term Disability on an Attained Age basis. Attained Age rates are based on specified age bands and will increase when a Covered Person reaches a new age band. Rates are subject to change for MetLife’s Issue Age Short Term Disability on a class-wide basis. For complete details of coverage and availability, please contact MetLife. Benefits are underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, New York. In certain states, availability of the worksite Short Term Disability Insurance product is pending regulatory approval.

    Like most group insurance policies, polices offered by MetLife may include waiting periods and contain certain exclusions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife for details.

  • Mercer's Role & Compensation