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Short-term Disability (STD) Plan

The Standard STD plan provides a benefit of 60 percent of your earnings up to a maximum of $500 per week. Benefits under this plan are paid up to 22 weeks. If you are newly eligible for a disability level as a result of a change to your benefits salary, you may be eligible to enroll without submitting Evidence of Insurability (EOI).

The Hartford Short-term Disability (STD) Plan

The Miami-Dade County School Board provides all eligible, full-time employees with Standard Short-Term Disability (STD). This Standard STD plan provides a benefit of 60 percent of your earnings up to a maximum of $500 per week. Benefits under this plan are paid up to 22 weeks after a 30 calendar day elimination period. You may elect to upgrade this plan by purchasing one of the upgrade plans available.

STD Plans

You may elect to buy up to one of the voluntary options below:

  • Standard Upgrade: This plan upgrades your Standard STD plan by paying benefits 2 weeks longer, to 24 weeks by reducing the elimination period from 30 to 15 calendar days. It continues to pay 60% of your earnings to a maximum of $500 a week.
  • High: This plan is designed for employees with salaries in excess of $43,000 annually. It continues to pay 60% of earnings but increases the maximum benefit payable from $500 to $1000. The 30 day elimination period and 22 week benefit remain the same as the STD Standard plan.
  • High Upgrade: This plan is also designed for employees with salaries in excess of $43,000 annually. It provides a 24 week benefit period after a 15 calendar day elimination period, while providing a benefit of 60 percent of your earnings up to a maximum of $1,000 week.
    Current Employees: If you are newly eligible for a disability level as a result of a change to your benefits salary, you may be eligible to enroll without submitting Evidence of Insurability (EOI).

This information is not intended to be a complete description of the insurance coverage available. The policy or its provisions may vary or be unavailable in some states. The policy has exclusions and limitations that affect any benefits payable. For complete details of coverage and availability, please contact The Hartford at 1.305.995.4889.

Benefit Eligibility

  • All M-DCPS Full-Time and Part-Time employees are eligible to enroll in the Short-Term Disability (STD) plan offered by the School Board.
  • Part-Time employees are only eligible for Standard and Standard Upgrade.
  • Retirees and COBRA Participants are ineligible for Short-Term Disability (STD) plan enrollment.
  • If you chose not to enroll previously in the STD upgrade plans, you must now complete an EOI form before you are considered for coverage.

Tools and Resources

The Hartford Website

Disability Video

Claims Process

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How To File a Claim (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the question to view the answer

What is Short-Term Disability?

STD provides you with income, it protects your paycheck by paying you 60% of your earnings when you are out of work due to short periods of disability due to injury or illness, as defined in the policy. Loss of income can be devastating – and today, it’s more important than ever for employees and their families to understand how they would manage their regular expenses during a period of lost income and make sure they’re prepared.

When can I begin collecting benefits?
Depending on the STD plan you have, the:

  • Standard and High Plans – Benefits are paid up to 22 weeks after a 30 calendar day elimination period.
  • Standard Upgrade and High Upgrade Plans – Benefits are paid up to 24 weeks after a 15 calendar day elimination period.
Am I eligible for disability benefits after childbirth?
Yes, if you have a Cesarean section, you will be considered disabled for a minimum period of eight weeks beginning on the date of your Cesarean section, unless you return to work prior to the end of the eight weeks. If you have vaginal birth, you will be considered disabled for a minimum of six weeks beginning on the date of your vaginal delivery, unless you return to work prior to the end of the six weeks.
Example: You have a standard STD plan and have a C-section on January 29, 2018. Your waiting period is from January 29, 2019, through February 27, 2019. Your Standard STD benefit begins on February 28, 2019 and would be payable through March 25, 2019 unless you return to work prior to this date.
What services does this benefit include? What is deducted from my STD benefit payments?

What does it cover? Life’s unexpected curve balls: A back injury, for instance. Or a serious illness. Or the birth of twins. Depending on how much protection you choose, your STD plan delivers a percentage of your income every week. And beyond your monthly benefits, it offers expert help: Services from legal specialists, financial experts and therapeutic counselors to ease the stress and boost your confidence. To prevent over insurance, The Hartford will subtract from your gross disability payment other sources of income (see your certificate for a definition of other sources of income, if any). You do not have to use up your sick days to receive benefits. However, if you do choose to use your sick days, The Hartford will NOT subtract from the gross disability payment income youreceive from salary continuation or sick leave plan.

When should I submit a claim?

Your claim should be submitted within 30 days after the date of your disability begins or as soon as possible. However, The Hartford must receive written proof of your claim no later than 90 days after your elimination period. If this is not possible, proof must be given no later than one year after the time proof is required except in the absence of legal capacity.

How do I submit a claim?

You must initiate your claim by calling The Hartford’s toll-free telephonic claim intake number at 1.800.549.6514 and report your claim. You will not need to submit a paper claim form as the The Hartford intake specialist will take your information by phone. However, it will be your responsibility to provide an authorization form to your physician to be signed/dated and faxed or mailed to The Hartford. This allows The Hartford to access your medical records in order to process your claim.

Is there a survivor benefit?
No. There is no survivor benefit included with this Short-Term Disability plan.
What is the minimum weekly benefit?
The minimum weekly benefit is $25.
Are benefits taxable?
You will receive a W2 form for the calendar year in which benefits are paid. If your premiums to upgrade to the High plan are paid on a pre-tax basis, benefits paid to you will be taxable. However, if your premiums were paid on a post-tax basis, benefits paid to you will partially taxable. The premiums paid by the School Board for the Standard Disability plan will be on a pre-tax basis.
Am I eligible for benefits under this plan if I am absent from work on the plan effective date?
No. If you are absent from work due to injury, sickness, temporary layoff or leave of absence, your coverage will begin on the date you return to active employment for one full day.
What insurance company makes this plan available to me?
The Short-Term Disability benefit is offered through Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. The Hartford is rated “A, (Excellent)” rating effective 2014) by A.M. Best’s Reports, which compares and rates the financial strength and performance of insurance companies.
Is Coverage guaranteed during this enrollment?

No. If you chose not to enroll previously in the Short Term Disability buy up plans, you must now complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form before you are considered for coverage. However, if you are newly eligible for a disability level as a result of a change to your benefits salary, you may be eligible to enroll without submitting EOI.

For more questions, you may call Customer Service 1.800.331.7234. You may also call the Enrollment Support Number at 1.877.426.6483.

Exclusions

The policy will not cover any disability due to:

    • War or act of war (declared or not)
    • The commission of, or attempt to commit a felony
    • An intentional self-inflicted injury
    • Any case where your being engaged in an illegal occupation was a contributing cause to your disability
    • Any injury sustained as a result of doing any work for pay or profit for another employer
    • Occupational sickness or injury covered by workers’ compensation
    • Elective cosmetic surgery

In addition to the above, you must be under the regular care of a physician.

Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
Customer Service:
1-305-995-4889
To File a Claim:
1-800-741-4306
Medical Underwriting:
1-800-331-7234

 

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Office of Risk and Benefits Management
1501 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 335
Miami, Florida 33132
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www.dadeschools.net
305-995-7129

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Mon - Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
1-855-MDC-PS4U (1-855-632-7748)