Chances are you already purchase home and auto insurance to protect against the threat of loss. And you have health insurance to guard against costly medical bills.

So, what steps have you taken to help shield yourself, your lifestyle and those who count on you from an unexpected loss of income? Would you be able to meet your financial obligations if you became disabled and unable to work?

Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance is designed to pay a monthly benefit to you in the event you cannot work for six months or longer because of a covered illness or injury. Government of the District of Columbia is sponsoring group Voluntary LTD insurance through Standard Insurance Company, offering you an excellent opportunity to help protect yourself and your lifestyle. The advantages to you include:

Convenience. With premiums deducted directly from your paycheck, you don’t have to worry about mailing monthly payments.

Savings. Typically, group insurance rates are lower than the rates of individual insurance plans, generally providing you with coverage at a lower cost.

Peace of Mind. You can take comfort and satisfaction in knowing that you have taken a step toward securing your income during a period of disability.

If you apply for Voluntary LTD insurance when you are initially eligible, you will not be required to submit evidence of insurability and you can elect 66 2/3 percent of your insured predisability earnings reduced by deductible income to a maximum of $7,500, for a maximum monthly benefit of $5,000. However, if you are eligible to enroll during this period and elect not to, satisfactory evidence of insurability will be required in the future.

If your LTD claim is approved by The Standard, LTD benefits become payable at the end of a 6 months benefit waiting period. No benefits are payable for or during the benefit waiting period.

For answers to commonly asked questions, costs, exclusions, limitations and reductions, please review the Group Long Term Disability Insurance Booklet.