Disability Benefits & Leave of Absence
Disability Benefits
You may be eligible for disability benefits for absences that are projected to last longer than your vacation and sick time can account for. If you’re eligible, your doctor will submit paperwork that indicates how long they project you to miss work. If approved, you’ll receive some disability pay while you’re out and you’ll stay enrolled in your company benefits (like medical and dental).
When do the benefits start and how long will they last?
Your disability policy has an elimination period, meaning that you have to miss so many days of work before benefits start paying. People either recover or use their sick/vacation time, or take this part of their leave as unpaid. Once your benefits are approved, they will remain active for the duration of the time your doctor indicates you’ll be unable to work, or until they are exhausted. Check out your disability policy certificate on your benefit enrollment site.
What if my medical situation changes?
Your doctor can submit revised paperwork if your recovery goes faster than expected or your treatment needs to be extended. Making sure that your doctor submits revised paperwork appropriately is very helpful to avoid gaps in benefits.
Speed up the approval process!
When filing your initial claim, have all your doctor’s contact information available to supply (office name, phone number, email, address, fax number, etc) and let them know that they’re going to have to fill out some paperwork. This won’t be the first time they’ve done this.
Check in with your assigned case manager, and if they haven’t received your doctor’s information yet, call the doctor’s office and see what the hold up is.
Family & Medical Leave Act
Your approved leave for medical or family reasons can also be covered under FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act). This type of leave is in effect during the same period as any disability benefits, and has no direct monetary benefit, but does protect your job so that it’s waiting for you when you’re able to return.
Reach out to your leave administrator to find out if your leave qualifies.
You are entitled to up to a total of 12 weeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
- Birth and subsequent care of a newborn child
- Placement of a child for adoption or foster care and the subsequent care of the child
- Care of your eligible family member’s serious health condition
- A qualifying exigency leave related to a family members military deployment
- Your inability to work due to a serious health condition
Who is covered by FMLA?
Employees who have been employed for 1 year and worked at least 1,250 hours during that time are eligible.
Additional benefits are available for absences due to military service member deployment.
Resources
Bilstein Benefit Guide
Detailed plan comparisons, premium information, and additional features. Password required — see your manager for more information.
