Disability Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
The State of Kansas and Kansas State University provide an employer paid Long Term Disability Insurance (pdf) plan for all benefits eligible employees. Coverage in this plan is effective on the first day of employment in a benefits eligible position. The insurance underwriter for this plan is Disability Management Services, INC (DMS).
University Support Staff or Unclassified Employees in Positions Covered by KPERS or Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan: There is a 180 day waiting period before a disability decision is made. If approved for long-term disability, the employee receives 60% of their annual salary, payable in equal monthly installments. This income may be reduced by monies received from Workers’ Compensation and/or the Social Security Administration. This is a taxable income.
Short Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary short term disability is a non-occupational, voluntary short term disability program which pays you a weekly benefit amount if you cannot work because of a disabling illness or injury.
Employees desiring coverage must apply within the first 30 days of employment, within 30 days after a mid-year qualifying event or during an open enrollment period.
This is an overview of your voluntary short term disability. Once a group policy is issued to your employer, a certificate of insurance will be available to explain your coverage in detail.
Please contact The Hartford Short Term Disability line directly at 1-800-549-6514 for any questions or concerns regarding filing a claim.
Teachers and Employees Association (TEA)
You may enroll by going to Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company (The Hartford) website. The Login Information is as follows:
| Login ID | Password Information |
| Your login ID is your employee ID Number. | Your password is your first and last name initials in lowercase followed by your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY). |
| For example: John Smith's employee ID number is W0000099999. His login ID is W0000099999. | For example: John Smith's birth date is October 25, 1963. His password is js10251963. |
| You will be required to reset your password during your initial login. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is disability?
Disability is defined in The Hartford's contract with your employer. Due to accidental bodily injury, sickness, mental illness, substance abuse or pregnancy you are unable to perform the essential duties of your occupation, and as a result, you are earning less than 20% of your pre-disability weekly earnings or you are unable to perform some, but not all, of the essential duties of your occupation and as a result, you are earning less than 80% of your pre-disability weekly earnings.
Am I eligible?
You are eligible if you are an active full time employee who works at least 20 hours per week on a regularly scheduled basis. Employees working in CA, HI, NY, NJ, RI or PR are not eligible for coverage.
How much coverage would I have?
You may elect to purchase a weekly benefit amount from $100 to $1,000 in increments of $100. You may not elect an incremental benefit amount that is greater than 60% of your weekly earnings.
| If the amount of your annual earnings is: | Your election cannot exceed the maximum weekly benefit amount of: |
| $8,666.67 - $17,333.32 | $100 |
| $17,333.33 - $25,999.99 | Up to $200 |
| $26,000.00 - $34,666.66 | Up to $300 |
| $34,666.67 - $43,333.32 | Up to $400 |
| $43,333.33 - $51,999.99 | Up to $500 |
| $52,000.00 - $60,666.66 | Up to $600 |
| $60,666.67 - $69,333.32 | Up to $700 |
| $69,333.33 - $77,999.99 | Up to $800 |
| $78,000.00 - $86,666.66 | Up to $900 |
| More than $86,666.67 | Up to $1000 |
Earnings are defined in The Hartford's contract with your employer.
When can I enroll?
You can enroll within 31 days of the date you have a change in family status, or within 31 days of the completion of your eligibility waiting period as stated in your group policy.
How do I enroll?
You may enroll by going to Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company (The Hartford) website. The Login Information is as follows:
| Login ID | Password Information |
| Your login ID is your employee ID Number. | Your password is your first and last name initials in lowercase followed by your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY). |
| For example: John Smith's employee ID number is W0000099999. His login ID is W0000099999. | For example: John Smith's birth date is October 25, 1963. His password is js10251963. |
| You will be required to reset your password during your initial login. |
When is it effective?
Coverage goes into effect subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. You must be actively at work with your employer on the day your coverage takes effect.
How long do I have to wait before I can receive my benefit?
Once your coverage is effective, you will be eligible to collect your disability insurance benefit starting on your choice of either the 8th, 15th or 30th day of disability. You choose how long you want to wait for your disability insurance benefits to start.
How long will I be able to receive my benefit?
Once you are eligible to start collecting your disability insurance benefit, your benefit could continue for up to a maximum of 26 weeks.
If I'm disabled, can the amount of my benefit be reduced by other income benefits?
No. Your weekly benefit amount will not be reduced by other income benefits, as defined in The Hartford's contract with your employer.
Are there other limitations to enrollment?
You can elect coverage without providing evidence of insurability during your scheduled initial enrollment period or qualified family status change period. You can enroll for coverage and/or increase existing benefits without providing evidence of insurability only during subsequent scheduled enrollment periods occurring annually thereafter or qualified family status change periods.
Electing or changing coverage is only permitted during scheduled annual enrollment periods or qualified family status change periods.
If you do not enroll within 31 days of your first day of eligibility, you will not be permitted to enroll for coverage again until the next scheduled annual enrollment period.
Your insurance limits the benefits you receive for pre-existing conditions. In general, if you were diagnosed or received care for a condition for 3 months before the effective date of your insurance, you will be covered for a disability due to that condition only if:
- you have not received treatment for your condition for 3 months after the effective date of your insurance, or
- you have been insured under this insurance for 12 months before your disability starts, so you can receive benefits even if you're receiving treatment
This benefit highlight overview of the DisabilityFLEX coverage being offered is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not a contract. It in no way changes or affects the policy as actually issued. Only the insurance policy issued to the policyholder (your employer) can fully describe all of the provisions, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of your insurance coverage. In the event of any difference between the benefit highlights and the insurance policy, the terms of the insurance policy apply.
