Disability Insurance

In general, it's best to have enough disability coverage to replace 60% of your after-tax income. However, this number can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as recurrent debt payments and monthly living expenses.

Unum is committed to making the initial decision on most Short Term Disability Insurance claims within five business days after receipt of a complete claim that includes a:

• completed Employee Statement form
• completed Employer's Statement form
• completed Attending Physician's Statement form
• signed medical authorization form

Each claim is unique, and Unum may request additional supporting medical records to make a decision on a claim.

First, we review medical information to determine if you meet the definition of disability as it is defined in your policy. Once we establish that you meet the definition of disability to be eligible for benefits, you:

• must continue to meet the definition of disability during the elimination period (the elimination period is the number of days that must pass before you are eligible to receive benefits)
• may also be required to have a certain percentage of earnings lost due to disability

We may ask you to provide updated medical information to verify your disability and continued eligibility for benefits beyond the initial approval of your claim.

The length of time you can receive either Short Term or Long Term Disability benefits depends on your policy's Maximum Benefit Period, which is determined by your employer. Once the elimination period (the number of days that must elapse before you're eligible for benefit payments) is satisfied and you continue to meet the definition of disability, your benefits can extend through the Maximum Benefit Period.

Short Term Disability Insurance benefit payments are generally made on a weekly basis.

Long Term Disability benefit payments are payable monthly.

The money is payable directly to you and can be used however you wish.

The amount of your benefit is dependent on your pre-disability earnings and the benefit percentage allowed in the policy. If the policy includes an incremental benefit, the benefit amount is the amount that you purchased.

You can have the benefit payments electronically deposited in your bank account by filling out an electronic transfer form in your Unum account. This is the fastest and easiest way to receive your benefit.

If you wish, however, payments can be mailed to you as a check.

For a delivery with no complications, most pregnancy claims are approved under Short Term Disability for a period of six weeks. Your employer may choose to provide an alternative eight-week benefit for Cesarean deliveries.

The six-week and eight-week periods include the elimination period. For example, if the elimination period is seven days, then a normal delivery is paid five weeks of benefits.

Disabilities due to complications of pregnancy will be covered in the same way as any other covered sickness.

For Short Term Disability Insurance, in some cases, yes.

For Long Term Disability Insurance, in some cases, yes.

See your HR representative for details.

For both Short Term and Long Term Disability, you may be asked some health questions, which will be used to determine whether you are eligible for coverage.

The disability benefit may be reduced if you are receiving income from other insurance policies, retirement or government programs.