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	Long Term Disability Work Related Injury & Illness

Long Term Disability

The Long Term Disability Insurance Plan, administered by the Office of Risk Management (ORM) provides a wage replacement benefit for eligible faculty and staff who have been disabled for more than 26 weeks. If the disability is work related, the benefits provided by this plan may coincide with Workers Compensation plan benefits. If the disability is not work related, this plan provides benefits after the Temporary Disability Plan benefits end.

The Long Term Disability Plan provides financial protection for employees by paying a portion of income while an employee is disabled. The amount an employee receives is based on the amount earned before the disability began. In some cases, an employee can receive disability payments even if the employee works while disabled.

The University pays a monthly premium to MetLife, an insurance company that has contractual authority to decide all questions relating to benefit coverages, to manage each claim and to provide benefit payments according to the plan provisions. A summary plan booklet that describes benefits, limitations, exclusions, and special provisions is available to all faculty and staff members upon request from the ORM.

Re-Employment after a Long Term Disability Absence

The University is not obligated to hold an employee's job if an absence extends beyond 26 weeks. However, employees may apply for other available positions comparable to the one held prior to an absence.

Vacation Credit

Vacation is not earned during any part of an absence of more than 26 weeks.

Other Benefits

While an employee is out on Long Term Disability, employee benefits such as the Princeton University Retirement Plan, Basic Life Insurance, and others continue. At the time of approval for Long Term Disability, a report explaining the status of an employee's benefits is sent from the Office of Human Resources. For additional information call the appropriate Benefits/Compensation Administrator in the Office of Human Resources.

Claims Coordination

Employees who are eligible for Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage will receive a LTD application packet in the mail from the ORM once an employee has been receiving temporary disability benefits for three months. The ORM will provide assistance in completing the application as well as submitting the application materials to the LTD carrier. In order to expedite the processing of the claim, all instructions on the application claim form should be followed carefully; and all questions should be answered completely.

Complete description of Long-term Disability Benefits

See the Benefits Handbook section Disability Plans or the Human Resources web site.

Additional Information

For questions regarding the filing of a claim or questions about the LTD Insurance Plan, contact Gwen Hatcher.