Long-Term Disability


If your disability keeps you from working for more than 180 days, you may be eligible for long-term disability benefits. Coverage cost is paid in full by HSHS.

LTD benefit payments are taxable when received.

Definition of Disability

You are considered to be disabled if you:

  • Cannot perform the main duties of your regular occupation due to your illness or injury; and
  • Have a loss of 20% or more of your earnings due to that illness or injury.

After benefits have been paid for 24 months, you are considered disabled if you cannot perform the key duties of any gainful occupation for which you are reasonably qualified by training, education, or experience. Department directors and above and physicians have “own occupation” definition for duration of disability. You must be under the regular care of a physician to be considered disabled. You must be under the regular care of a physician to be considered disabled.

About Your LTD Benefits

LTD benefits may be reduced by any benefits you receive from other sources, such as:

  • Worker's Compensation, state-mandated disability benefits, third-party reimbursements, unemployment and other employer wages.
  • Disability benefits for which you, spouse or children are eligible because of your disability under Social Security, Railroad Retirement or any similar governmental plan.

For example, if the combination of your HSHS-funded LTD benefits and benefits from other sources is less than 60% of your pay, you would receive an HSHS benefit that would bring your total benefit from all sources up to 60%.

If you are collecting LTD benefits and can do some work, even if you continue to meet the plan's definition of disability, you may be eligible for partial disability benefits; see the Disability SPD for more information.

How Long LTD Benefits

  • If you are disabled before age 60, you are eligible to receive LTD benefits until you are no longer disabled or to age 65, whichever is earlier.
  • If you are disabled between age 60 and 69, benefits continue for a specific number of months, as long as you continue to be disabled.
  • Benefits for a disability due to substance abuse or mental or nervous disorders are payable for up to 24 months.

LTD Plan Exclusions

Benefits are not provided for disabilities due to:

  • Intentionally self-inflicted injuries
  • Active participation in a riot
  • Loss of professional license, occupational license or certification
  • Commission of a crime for which you have been convicted
  • War, declared or undeclared, or any act of war
  • Any period of disability during which you are incarcerated
  • Pre-existing conditions (see Disability SPD for definition)

See the Long-Term Disability SPD for more information.