Disability Coverage
Protect Your Income and Assets
Disability Insurance
Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage are available to most employees who are eligible for benefits. For employees who are not managers, the optional disability policies will replace a portion of your wages beyond your sick and vacation balances, if you are unable to work due to an injury or illness. Your monthly cost is determined by the type of plan and amount of coverage you purchase.
Disability Overview Video
Learn more about these benefits below and on MetLife's state of Minnesota website.
Short Term Disability (STD)
Short-term disability insurance helps protect your income when you're unable to work due to a qualifying medical condition, such as an illness, injury, or pregnancy. If you're deemed totally disabled, this coverage provides a portion of your regular earnings for up to 26 weeks.
Benefit payments are made directly to you and are designed to support you during recovery, so you can focus on your health without the added stress of lost income.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Eligibility Requirements
All benefit eligible Active Employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate.
Enrollment Guidelines for Newly Hired or Rehired Employees
If you are a newly hired employee or have been rehired following a break in service of 30 days or more, you must enroll in the benefits plan within 30 days of your hire or rehire date. Coverage will begin on the 31st day of employment.
Active employees who become newly eligible for insurance must also enroll within 30 days of their eligibility date. In these cases, coverage will begin on the later of the eligibility date or the 31st day of employment.
What Happens If You Don’t Enroll When First Eligible?
If you choose not to enroll during your initial enrollment window, you may be required to submit Evidence of Good Health, which is subject to medical underwriting and approval by the disability insurance provider.
You may also be responsible for any costs associated with required physical exams or related evaluations.
Note: Coverage is not guaranteed and may be declined based on the results of the underwriting process.
Making Changes to Your Short Term Disability Coverage
If you wish to change the amount of Short Term Disability (STD) coverage you have elected, you must submit an Optional Application, available on SEGIP's Find a Form page. Additionally:
- You may submit an Optional Application at any time.
- If you are increasing your STD coverage, you may be required to provide Evidence of Good Health, which is subject to medical underwriting and approval by the insurance provider.
- If you are decreasing your STD coverage, no Evidence of Good Health is required.
Coverage Details
How Is “Disability” Defined Under the Plan?
You are generally considered disabled and eligible for Short Term Disability (STD) benefits if, due to sickness, pregnancy, or accidental injury:
- You are receiving appropriate care and treatment and are complying with the prescribed treatment plan; and
- You are unable to earn more than 80% of your predisability earnings at your own occupation for any employer; and
- You are unable to perform each of the material duties of your own occupation.
For a complete definition and additional eligibility requirements, please refer to the Summary Plan Description provided by your employer or contact your MetLife benefits administrator.
What Is the Benefit Amount?
The STD benefit is designed to help replace a portion of your predisability earnings, reduced by any income received during the same disability period from other sources (e.g., state disability benefits, no-fault auto insurance, sick pay, vacation pay, etc.).
You may elect a flat benefit amount in increments of $100, with a minimum of $300, not to exceed 66.67% of your predisability earnings, and subject to a maximum monthly benefit of $5,000.
Not sure how much Disability Insurance you may need? Use the Coverage Calculator to get an idea.
Special Considerations for State-Mandated Disability Benefits
If you work in a state that offers state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits, you should carefully evaluate whether additional STD coverage is necessary.
- If you are eligible for State Benefits, you must apply if required by law.
- If permitted, your STD benefit will be offset by any State or other government benefits received.
- Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit under the STD plan.
States and jurisdictions with mandated benefits include (but are not limited to): California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Washington. Beginning in 2026: Delaware, Minnesota – 1/1/26; Maine – 5/1/26; Maryland – 7/1/26.
When Do The Benefits Start?
When do benefits begin and how long do they continue?
Short Term Disability benefits begin after the elimination period has been satisfied. The elimination period starts in the timeline below due to a disability and represents the number of days you must be continuously disabled before becoming eligible to receive benefits.
Elimination Periods:
- Accident: 0 days
- Sickness (including pregnancy): 7 days
Once the elimination period is met, benefits start and continue for as long as you remain disabled, up to a maximum duration of 26 weeks.
Additional Plan Benefits
Coverage Designed With Your Best Interests in Mind
When facing a long-term illness or injury, we understand that you need more than just income replacement. That’s why, if you also enrolled and were approved for Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance, we offer a range of return-to-work services and Social Security Disability assistance to help you maximize the value of your coverage. Including:
Return-to-Work Support Services
Our disability insurance benefits available through MetLife provides personalized support to help you transition back to work when appropriate. Services may include:
-
Case Manager Services
-
Vocational Analysis
-
Job Modifications
-
Retraining Programs
-
Financial Incentives
Social Security Disability Assistance
Once approved for LTD benefits, MetLife can assist you in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Services include:
- Expert guidance through the initial application and appeals process
- Access to attorneys or vendors who can support your SSDI claim
- Ongoing support to help you navigate the complexities of the Social Security system
Learn more about our Short Term Disability plan, review FAQs, and common Questions & Answers on MetLife's state of Minnesota webpage.
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Long-term disability insurance provides income protection if you're unable to work due to a serious illness or injury. If you're considered totally disabled, LTD benefits begin after a waiting period—known as the elimination period—which is the longer of six consecutive months or the end of any employer-sponsored short-term disability benefits.
This coverage helps ensure financial stability during extended periods away from work.
Note: For employees enrolled in the Manager’s Plan or certain employees under the Commissioner’s Plan, long-term disability and special basic life insurance are combined into a single benefit called the Income Protection Plan (IPP).
Eligibility and Enrollment
Eligibility Requirements
All benefit-eligible active employees working at least 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in the Long Term Disability plan, excluding the following:
- Employees eligible for coverage under the State’s Managers Income Protection Plan
- Temporary, leased, or seasonal employees
Enrollment Guidelines for Newly Hired or Rehired Employees
If you are a newly hired employee or have been rehired following a break in service of 30 days or more, you must enroll in the benefits plan within 30 days of your hire or rehire date. Coverage will begin on the 31st day of employment.
Employees who are already working and become newly eligible for insurance must complete their enrollment within 30 days of gaining eligibility. Coverage will begin either on the date their eligibility changes or on their 31st day of employment—whichever comes later.
What Happens If You Don’t Enroll When First Eligible?
If you choose not to enroll during your initial eligibility period, you will have the opportunity to enroll or increase your coverage during the State’s annual Open Enrollment period—no Evidence of Good Health will be required.
Making Changes to Your Long Term Disability Coverage
If you wish to change the amount of Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage you have elected, you must submit an Optional Application, available on SEGIP's Find a Form page. Additionally:
- You may submit an Optional Application at any time.
- You may not increase your LTD coverage outside of Open Enrollment.
- You do not need to provide Evidence of Good Health to decrease your LTD coverage.
Coverage Details
How Is “Disability” Defined Under the Plan?
You may be considered disabled and eligible for Long-Term Disability benefits if you meet the following criteria:
During the “Own Occupation” PeriodYou may be considered disabled and eligible for Long-Term Disability benefits if, due to illness, pregnancy, or accidental injury:
- You are under the care of a qualified healthcare provider and following the prescribed course of treatment, and
- You are unable to perform the essential duties of your own occupation for any employer within the national economy.
You may continue to be considered disabled and eligible for Long-Term Disability benefits if:
- You are receiving appropriate medical care and are in compliance with your prescribed treatment plan, and
- You are unable to perform the duties of any gainful occupation for which you are reasonably qualified, based on your education, training, and experience, with any employer in the national economy.
For a complete description of this and other requirements that must be met, please refer to your Summary Plan Description or contact your MetLife benefits administrator.
What Is the Benefit Amount?
The Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit is designed to help replace a portion of your monthly income if you become disabled due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. The benefit amount is based on your pre-disability monthly earnings, minus any income you may receive from other sources during the same period (such as Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, or vacation pay).
💼 Benefit Election OptionsYou can choose from the following monthly benefit amounts:
- $300 to $1,000 in $50 increments, or
- $1,100 to $7,000 in $100 increments
The maximum LTD benefit you can receive is the lesser of:
- 60% of your pre-disability earnings, or
- $7,000 per month
Not sure how much Disability Insurance you may need? Use the Coverage Calculator to get an idea.
When Do The Benefits Start?
When do benefits begin and how long do they continue?
LTD benefits begin after the elimination period has been satisfied. The elimination period is the waiting time that starts on the day your disability begins. You must remain continuously disabled throughout this period before benefits become payable.
- Elimination Period: 180 days from the date your disability begins
For details about your plan’s maximum benefit duration and any specific limitations, please refer to your Summary Plan Description or contact your employer’s benefits administrator.
What About Pre-Existing Conditions?
⚠️ Pre-Existing Condition Limitation
If your disability begins within 730 days of your coverage effective date, it may be subject to the pre-existing condition limitation. If the condition is determined to be pre-existing, benefits will not be payable for that disability. This provision applies to all employees who enroll in coverage.
🩺 What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition includes any of the following for which you received medical care during the 365 days prior to your coverage effective date (or the effective date of a coverage change):
- Illness or injury
- Mental health conditions
- Pregnancy
- Substance abuse episodes
This includes all symptoms, diagnoses, or complications related to the same or an aggravated condition.
🧾 What Counts as Medical Care?
Medical care is considered received if you:
- Consulted with a physician
- Were given medical advice
- Were prescribed or received treatment, including:
- Exams or tests
- Use of medications, medical services, or equipment
📈 Increases in Coverage
If you choose to increase your monthly benefit during the State’s annual Open Enrollment period, the increased amount will be subject to the full pre-existing condition limitation.
Note: This limitation does not apply to disabilities unrelated to a pre-existing condition as defined above.
Additional Plan Benefits
Coverage Designed With Your Best Interests in Mind
When you're facing a long-term illness or injury, MetLife offers more than just income replacement. Our goal is to support your recovery and help you return to work when you're ready. That’s why your LTD coverage includes return-to-work services and Social Security Disability assistance—at no additional cost.
Return-to-Work Support Services
Our disability insurance benefits available through MetLife provides personalized support to help you transition back to the workplace, including:
-
Case Manager Services
-
Vocational Analysis
-
Job Modifications
-
Retraining Programs
-
Financial Incentives
Social Security Disability Assistance
Once your LTD claim is approved, MetLife can help you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Our specialists will:
- Guide you through the application and appeals process
- Connect you with attorneys or vendors if needed
- Help you maximize your total disability benefits
💻 Virtual Mental Health Support with TELUS Health CBT
As part of your LTD plan, you have access to TELUS Health CBT, a virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program. This confidential service is available anytime, anywhere—via computer, smartphone, or tablet—at no cost to you.
🔗 Access the program: https://metlife.cbt.telushealth.com
Learn more about our Long Term Disability plan, review FAQs, and common Questions & Answers on MetLife's state of Minnesota webpage.