Question:

Do I have to apply for other income benefits such as worker's compensation benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, or Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) disability benefits?

Answer:

Your long term disability (LTD) policy requires that you file for all other income benefits for which you may be eligible. If you apply for other income benefits, please notify us immediately. We require copies of your applications, award and/or denial notices, and any other correspondence from these other agencies to administer your LTD claim properly. If you are unable to work because of an injury, accident, or incident that occurred at work or is related to the performance of your job duties, you must file a claim for worker's compensation benefits. To be eligible for SSDI and WRS disability benefits, you must be totally and permanently disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines total and permanent disability as "the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." For WRS disability purposes, total and permanent disability is defined as the inability "to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or to be long-continued and of indefinite duration." For more information or to request an SSDI application, you may contact the SSA by calling (800) 772-1213, or you may go to their web site at www.ssa.gov. In many cases, you can complete the entire application process through the mail and by telephone. For more information or to file an application for WRS disability benefits, please contact a member services representative at the Department of Employee Trust Funds by calling (877) 533-5020. They will send you written application materials to complete.