Contact MetLife if you are absent from work, or know you will be absent from work for more than 3 calendar days due to the following:

• Your own serious health condition, including pregnancy.
• To care for your newborn child or the placement of  your adopted or foster child.
• To provide care for a qualifying family member with a serious health condition.
• To care for a covered servicemember injured in the line of duty.

• Follow your department’s call in procedures and notify your supervisor.
• Report your absence online through MetLife’s MyBenefits website at https://mybenefits.metlife.com.
• Choose San Bernardino County as provider to your group benefits.
• Create a new account by entering your personal information including social security number.
• Enter the one-time verification code that will be sent to your phone.
• Or call the MetLife Claim Center at 855.229.7305.

The MetLife Disability Leave Coordinator will assist you in determining the type of leave which you are entitled to and qualify for, based on the County’s absence policy and consistent with applicable law.

The MyBenefits portal is available 24/7 – 365 days a year, and the MetLife Claims Center is available Monday through Friday between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm Pacific Time.

You will be asked to provide the following information, in addition to other questions about your absence:

• The last day you were at work or are expected to be at work.
• Reason leave is requested.
• Your authorization to release your medical information if applicable. Let your physician(s) know that you authorize the release of your medical information to MetLife and complete the “Authorization To Disclose Information About Me” form.

Your absence should be reported as soon as you are aware that you will miss scheduled time off from work. You must report your intermittent absence within 2 calendar days from the start of the first shift you miss. Failure to do so may jeopardize your job protection for those absences.

Please note that the County has a late reporting provision which requires you to report your request for intermittent absences within 2 calendar days of the incident.

Initial documentation: your initial submission must include, but is not limited to the following:

• The date your disability started.
• The cause of your disability.
• The prognosis (medical condition) and expected duration of your disability.

Medical Authorization: upon receipt of a signed medical authorization from you, MetLife will work with your medical provider to obtain the needed medical information relating to your claim. This information can include, but is not limited to:

• Medical records, such as histories, physical, mental or diagnostic examinations.
• Treatment notes, including x-ray films and other test results.
• Names and addresses of all physicians, medical practitioners, and hospitals who have diagnosed, treated, or consulted with you as well as any pharmacies which have filled your prescriptions within the past three years.

If your physician does not respond to our request for this information in a timely fashion, we may reach out to you and ask for you to call your physician directly. In these cases, we can provide the list of needed information to complete the evaluation of your disability claim. Also, if you do not wish to sign a medical authorization, you do have the option to provide the required documentation directly to MetLife.

Additional Detailed Information: for most conditions, detailed medical information will be required beyond simply a physician’s note taking you out of work. We must establish the extent and validity of your condition through our review of relevant medical data including, but not limited to the information listed above.

Yes, there are several differences:

• FMLA/CFRA leaves are unpaid but do provide you job protection while out on leave.
• Requirements for medical certification FMLA/CFRA and disability leaves are also different. FMLA/CFRA requires a Health Care Provider Certification form, while disability requires supporting medical documentation such as doctor’s notes, test results, and exam findings.
• STD may help replace a portion of your income in the event of a non-work related illness or injury that requires you to be off work more than seven (7) consecutive days.

• After you submit your disability claim or request a leave of absence, MetLife will send you a written acknowledgment of your claim or request.
• You may be contacted by a case manager or leave coordinator within a few business days to clarify any of your information or if any information is missing. The case manager or leave coordinator will provide their direct contact information at that time.
• MetLife may also contact your physician(s) and/or the County.

• You are encouraged to call your case manager at any time should you have questions or concerns about the program or your case.
• You can check the status of your claim any time by visiting https://mybenefits.metlife.com.
• You can also check the status of your claim or absence on the MetLife App (search “MetLife” on iTunes App Store or Google Play to download the app).
• The customer service center is also available from 5:00 am – 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday at 855.229.7305.

It will take approximately one or two weeks to make a claim decision. We will communicate claims decisions via both a call from your case manager as well as written correspondence.

After the Benefit Waiting Period of 7 days has been completed, and your Short Term Disability claim has been approved, benefits are paid in arrears on a weekly basis. Checks are mailed Tuesday of each week and will be mailed directly to your mailing address. Your benefits can also be deposited directly into your bank account.

FICA tax is composed of two parts, Social Security and Medicare. As a County employee, you will not contribute to Social Security tax, however, Medicare will be withheld based on applicable law. Your case manager will be able to discuss this with you in greater detail.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is an available option for receiving benefit payments. Information about initiating the EFT/direct deposit will be included in your approval letter.

You can look up information on your claim through MetLife’s online portal at https://mybenefits.metlife.com. After establishing your login information, you will be able to view claim information, next payment, and more.

My Accounts Page

• Product Summary Cards with policy and claim detail.
• Ability to see absence number, start date, and status.
• ‘I want to’ menu for quick access to what you need.
• Easy access to the claim center and Documents and Forms.

Absence Detail

• Absence number and status bar at the top of the page.
• Absence Detail Care – includes absence type and programs.
• Activity for This Absence Card – includes date, activity and brief description of your leave claim.

Claim Center

• A centralized claims experience where you can manage your claims.
• Submit claims online and check status.
• View past/current claims.
• Print/download/email claim history.

Call MetLife’s Claim Center at 855.229.7305