It is best to enroll during your open enrollment period, when medical exams may not be required, and health questions may not be asked. The sooner you enroll, the sooner you will enjoy the added financial protection that disability coverage provides.

Disability insurance is more affordable than you may think. For example, a healthy male age 35 may get a $1,000 monthly benefit for an initial premium of about $25 a month. Rates for your plan can be found in the enrollment materials provided by your employer.

Premiums will be conveniently paid through payroll deduction, so you don’t have to worry about writing a check or missing a payment.

You can submit a claim via phone, web or mail. The Claim Specialist will verify eligibility and medical information, in addition to conducting an interview with the claimant to obtain relevant information, review plan provisions and explain next steps. From the review, the specialist will determine if the claimant qualifies for benefits under the plan and will notify all parties of the decision. Once all information is received, we will make a decision in about a week.

The Claims Specialist will then identify a time frame for follow-up based on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis and evaluate expected duration with an anticipated return to work date. 

STD claims already with MetLife will automatically transition to LTD, there is no need for an additional claim application. Information will be automatically transferred and updated.

MetLife will also provide Social Security Application assistance and support.

Payment will be made directly to you – not your employer, hospital, doctor or insurance company. The amount of the payment will depend on the amount of coverage you choose.

Yes. As long as you are disabled and meet the terms of your Disability plan, you may qualify for adjusted Disability benefits.

Your plan offers financial and Rehabilitation incentives designed to help you to return to work when appropriate, even on a part-time basis when you participate in an approved Rehabilitation Program.

While disabled, you may receive up to 100% of your predisability earnings when combining benefits for up to 24 months, Rehabilitation Incentives, other income sources such as Social Security Disability Benefits and state disability benefits, and part-time earnings. (Please note – the Social Security Disability Benefit assistance is only offered if you are approved for LTD benefits). 

Under Short Term Disability coverage and Long Term Disability coverage you can get a 10% increase in your weekly benefit with the Rehabilitation Incentive.

If you work or participate in a rehabilitation program while disabled, following the 4th weekly benefit payment, the Family Care Incentive provides reimbursement up to $100 per week for eligible expenses, such as child care. Under Long Term Disabilityif you work or participate in a rehabilitation program while disabled, the Family Care Incentive provides reimbursement up to $400 per month for eligible expenses, such as child care for up to 24 months.

You may be eligible for the Moving Expense Incentive if you incur expenses in order to move to a new residence recommended as part of the Rehabilitation Program. Expenses must be approved in advance.

Yes. Under Short Term Disability, your plan does not cover any Disability which results from or is caused or contributed to by:

• Elective treatment or procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, sex-change surgery, reversal of sterilization, liposuction, visual correction surgery, in-vitro fertilization, embryo transfer procedure, artificial insemination or other specific procedures.

However, pregnancies and complications from any of these procedures will be treated as a sickness. 

Under Short Term and Long Term Disability coverage, your plan does not cover any Disability which results from or is caused or contributed to by:

• War, whether declared or undeclared, or act of war, insurrection, rebellion or terrorist act;
• Active participation in a riot;
• Intentionally self-inflicted injury or attempted suicide;
• Commission of or attempt to commit a felony. 

Additionally, no payment will be made for a Disability caused or contributed to by any injury or sickness for which you are entitled to benefits under Workers’ Compensation or a similar law.

For Long Term Disability, limited benefits apply for specific conditions: 

If you are disabled due to alcohol, drug or substance abuse or addiction, we will limit your disability benefits to one occurrence for a lifetime maximum of Disability for 24 months. During Your Disability, we require you to participate in an alcohol, drug or substance abuse or addiction recovery program recommended by a physician.

Benefits will end at the earliest of

• The date you receive 24 months of disability benefit payments;
• The date you cease or refuse to participate in the recovery program referred above; or
• The date you complete such recovery program.

If you are disabled due to mental or nervous disorders or diseases; neuromuscular, musculoskeletal or soft tissue disorder; fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and related conditions or self-reported conditions, we will limit your Disability benefits to a lifetime maximum equal to the lesser of:

• 24 months; or
• The Maximum Benefit Period.

Your Disability benefits will be limited as stated above for mental or nervous disorder or disease except for:

• schizophrenia;
• neurocognitive disorders; or
• bi-polar 1 disorder

If you are disabled due to neuromuscular, musculoskeletal or soft tissue disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and related conditions or self-reported conditions, we will limit your Disability benefits to one occurrence for a lifetime maximum equal to the lesser of:

• 24months; or
• The Maximum Benefit Period.

If You are confined in a Hospital or Mental Health Facility at the end of the period shown above for which benefits are to be paid, We will continue Your Monthly Benefits until the end of Your Hospital or Mental Health Facility confinement.

Other limitations or exclusions to your coverage may apply. Please review your Certificate of Insurance provided by your Employer for specific details or contact your benefits administrator with any questions.