South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority

BLTD is designed to pay a benefit to you in the event you cannot work because of a covered illness or injury. This benefit replaces a portion of your income, helping you meet your financial commitments in a time of need. Below is an overview of the coverage:

• Maximum BLTD benefit of $800 per month.
• A 90-day benefit waiting period. This is the length of time you must be disabled before benefits are payable. If your BLTD claim is approved by The Standard, then BLTD benefits become payable at the end of the 90-day benefit waiting period.
• Monthly BLTD benefit is always the smaller of these two calculations: 62.5% of the first $1,280 of your monthly predisability earnings or 62.5% of your monthly predisability earnings reduced by deductible income, as defined in the group insurance policy. The monthly BLTD benefit is based on your earnings as of January 1 of the year you become disabled or your date of hire if you are disabled during the first year of your membership.

For a list of the defined terms, exclusions, limitations and reductions, please review the Basic Long Term Disability Certificate.

The Supplemental Long Term Disability benefit provides competitive group rates; survivor's benefits for eligible dependents; coverage for injury, physical disease, mental disorder or pregnancy; return-to-work incentive; SLTD conversion insurance; cost-of-living adjustment; and lifetime security benefit. Below is an overview of the coverage:

• A minimum $100 monthly benefit and a maximum $8,000 monthly benefit.
• A 90-day or 180-day benefit waiting period. This is the length of time you must be disabled before benefits are payable.
• Monthly benefit of 65% of your predisability earnings, reduced by deductible income.

You can enroll in SLTD insurance coverage through PEBA during your initial enrollment (within 31 days) or throughout the year with medical evidence. Contact your benefits administrator for more information on how to enroll. Your premium is determined by your age as of the preceding January 1 and your benefit waiting period.

To determine how much SLTD coverage you might need, use the Needs Estimator. Before enrolling, review the Supplemental Long Term Disability Insurance Booklet and Supplemental Long Term Disability Certificate for answers to commonly asked questions, costs, exclusions, limitations and reductions.

When your SLTD coverage ends, you may be eligible to convert your coverage to an individual insurance policy if you meet all these criteria:

• Your insurance ends for a reason other than:
  • Termination or amendment of the group policy;
  • Your failure to make a required premium contribution; or
  • Your retirement.
• You were insured under PEBA's long term disability insurance plan for at least one year as of the date your insurance ended.
• You are not disabled on the date your insurance ends.
• You are a citizen or resident of the United States or Canada.
• You apply in writing and pay the first premium for SLTD conversion insurance within 31 days after your insurance ends.

The effective date of your converted policy will be the day after your insurance ends under the SLTD policy.

Long term disability conversion insurance is not a continuation of your insurance under the SLTD insurance policy PEBA has with The Standard. It is a separate and distinct policy that might provide different benefits, exclusions, limitations and reductions than those provided under your group policy. See the Supplemental Long Term Disability Certificate for specific details about the conversion provision.

To apply or receive conversion materials, complete the Request for Long Term Disability Conversion Materials. If you have questions or want rate information, call The Standard at 800.378.4668.

Enrollment Materials

• SLTD Employee Booklet
• SLTD flyer

Calculators

• Use the Needs Estimator to estimate how much LTD insurance you should have.
• Determine the cost of your LTD insurance by using the Premium Calculator.

• Medical History Statement

• Request for Long Term Disability Conversion Materials

• BLTD Certificate
• SLTD Certificate

• Long Term Disability Claim Packet
• Frequently Asked Questions about LTD coverage provided by The Standard

Typically, The Standard advises a long term disability claim be filed during the first month of absence, but no later than halfway through the employee's benefit waiting period as defined in your group policy. If the employee can be accommodated in some capacity, but might need some assistance, please contact The Standard for possible rehabilitation assistance at 800.628.9696.
 

• To file a claim by phone, call The Standard's Claim Intake Service Center at 800.628.9696.
• To file a claim online, use this link to begin the claim process. Instructions will be provided through the entire claim submission process.
• To file a paper claim, download the Long Term Disability Claim Packet.
   

Long term disability benefits are paid at the end of the calendar month, which is determined by the employee's date of disability and benefit waiting period. For example, if the disability date is March 5 and the benefit waiting period is 90 days, the benefit waiting period would be complete as of June 2. Benefits become payable on June 3, the first benefit check is paid by July 1, and the continuing benefit checks will be sent to the employee by the first of each month.
 

If an employee who has a current long term disability claim with The Standard returns to work in any capacity or dies, immediately notify The Standard at 800.628.9696. Additional information will be requested as needed to determine whether further benefits may be payable under the terms of your group policy.
 

The Standard offers the following reports and services to keep you informed about the status and payment of long term disability benefits under your group policy:

• Monthly Group Benefits Activity Report: Automatically sent to you at the end of each month, this provides a summary of benefit payments and/or activity during the month.
• Integrated Voice Response (IVR): The Standard's toll-free customer service line is available to you and your employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The IVR system offers basic claims information, corresponding to the employee's Social Security number and date of birth.
   

If you pay all or a portion of the premiums for your employees' long term disability benefits, the amount of benefits attributable to the employer's premium contribution is subject to tax. The Standard will submit long term disability W-2s at year-end showing the taxable amount according to IRS regulations. If you change your premium contribution arrangements, your group policy must be amended to reflect the change. Advise insured employees to consult their tax professionals for more specific information.
 

If employee premium contributions are paid for with pre-tax dollars, the disability benefits are taxable. If premiums are paid with post-tax dollars, the portion of the benefits attributable to employee contributions is not taxable.