Government of the District of Columbia provides you with the opportunity to purchase Voluntary Short Term Disability (STD) insurance, which is designed to pay a benefit to you in the event you cannot work because of a covered illness, injury or pregnancy. This benefit replaces a portion of your income, thus helping you meet your financial commitments in time of need.
The risk of disability is greater than most people think. And if you're like most people, you probably think disability is something that only happens to someone else. Here are the facts:
- Every 90 seconds someone files for bankruptcy in the wake of a serious illness.1
- Just over 1 in 4 of today's 20 year-olds will become disabled before they retire.2
- One in four Americans say they would have difficulty supporting themselves financially immediately following a disability; three out of four say they would face financial trouble within six months.3
If you are an eligible employee, you have the opportunity to protect yourself and your family by purchasing Voluntary STD coverage through The Standard via convenient payroll deduction. The weekly STD Benefit is
66 2/3% to a maximum of $1,385.
If you enroll when first eligible and your STD claim is approved by The Standard, STD benefits become payable at the end of a 20 day benefit waiting period for disabilities caused by physical disease, pregnancy or mental disorder. There is a 20 day benefit waiting period for disabilities caused by an accidental injury. No benefits are payable for or during the benefit waiting period.
If you do not apply for Voluntary STD coverage when you are initially eligible, then during the first year you are insured under the Voluntary STD plan, the benefit waiting period for disability caused by physical disease, pregnancy or mental disorder will be 60 days from the date of your disability. This is known as a delayed enrollment occurrence. Delayed enrollment occurrence does not apply to a disability resulting from an accidental injury.
For answers to commonly asked questions, costs, exclusions, limitations and reductions, please review the Coverage Highlights, Group STD Insurance Booklet, and Certificate of Insurance. Calculate your disability insurance needs with our Needs Estimator.
1The American Journal of Medicine, Vol 122, No 8, August 2009
2U.S. Social Security Administration, Basic Facts, April 4, 2014
3Disability survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of the LIFE Foundation, April 2009