VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System
VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System
VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System
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Long-Term Disability Coverage<br />
Long-term disability coverage provides income replacement if you become<br />
disabled and cannot work <strong>for</strong> an extended period. The long-term disability<br />
benefit begins after you have been on short-term disability <strong>for</strong> 125 workdays, as<br />
determined by Unum. Income replacement <strong>for</strong> long-term disability is equal to 60<br />
percent of your pre-disability income, including any salary increases you receive<br />
while on short-term disability. If your condition becomes catastrophic, you may<br />
be eligible <strong>for</strong> an adjustment to your income replacement (see right column).<br />
You are eligible <strong>for</strong> long-term disability coverage if you cannot work at all or can<br />
work at least 20 hours a week but cannot per<strong>for</strong>m your full duties. To be eligible<br />
to work a reduced schedule while on long-term disability, you must have been<br />
working a reduced schedule during your short-term disability period.<br />
Coordination with Other Benefits<br />
Workers’ compensation. If you suffer a work-related illness or injury and your<br />
condition is determined to be compensable under the <strong>Virginia</strong> Workers’<br />
Compensation Act, your VSDP work-related disability benefit will be adjusted<br />
by any workers’ compensation benefits you receive.<br />
If Your Condition is<br />
Catastrophic – If you are<br />
on short-term or long-term<br />
disability receiving 60 percent<br />
of your pre-disability income,<br />
your income replacement will<br />
increase to 80 percent if your<br />
condition is determined to be<br />
catastrophic. If your condition<br />
improves and is no longer<br />
considered catastrophic, your<br />
income replacement will return<br />
to 60 percent.<br />
A catastrophic condition means<br />
you are unable to per<strong>for</strong>m at<br />
least two of the following six<br />
activities of daily living without<br />
substantial assistance:<br />
Family and Medical Leave Act. You are eligible to take authorized unpaid leave<br />
under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) <strong>for</strong> certain personal or<br />
family situations. This leave will be coordinated with your sick leave, family and<br />
personal leave and VSDP disability coverage. For more in<strong>for</strong>mation, contact your<br />
human resource office.<br />
Social Security disability benefits. If you are on long-term disability, you may be<br />
required to apply <strong>for</strong> Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The<br />
VSDP third-party administrator, Unum, will assist you with the application<br />
process as well as the appeal process if your application is denied.<br />
Health insurance credit. If you are on long-term disability, you are eligible <strong>for</strong> a<br />
health insurance credit of $120 per month or $4 per year of service credit per<br />
month at the time you become disabled, whichever is higher, not to exceed the<br />
amount of your individual health insurance premiums. The health insurance<br />
credit is a tax-free benefit that assists with health insurance premiums you pay<br />
<strong>for</strong> single coverage, excluding any portion of the premiums covering a spouse or<br />
dependents. For more in<strong>for</strong>mation about the health insurance credit, see Chapter<br />
13-Insurance in <strong>Retirement</strong>.<br />
1. Bathing<br />
2. Transferring, such as<br />
getting in and out of bed<br />
3. Dressing<br />
4. Toileting (using the<br />
bathroom)<br />
5. Continence<br />
6. Eating (ability to feed oneself)<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation, call Unum<br />
toll free at 1-800-652-5602 or<br />
visit www.unum.com/claimant.<br />
37 | CH 6 • VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM Plan 1