Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff of the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office. E-mail the office at employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, or call 263-7556 or 262-5650. For information visit http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/ecbs.html.

This is part one of a four-part series on disability benefits. This article provides an outline of the various disability benefits. Upcoming articles will cover how to apply and in what sequence, how the benefits are integrated, more in-depth information about the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) disability benefits and how insurance benefits are impacted by disability.

Income Continuation Insurance

Income Continuation Insurance (ICI) provides replacement income for short- and long-term disabilities. You must be enrolled in ICI, totally disabled and completely off work because of a physical or mental impairment for a minimum number of days: 30 days for classified employees or your elimination period if unclassified. Before benefits begin, you must exhaust accumulated sick leave up to a maximum of 1,040 hours. Benefits are not paid until the required number of hours of sick leave is exhausted or the elimination period is met, whichever is later. If you apply for a Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) disability or Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTDI) simultaneously with ICI, you are not required to exhaust your sick leave. Learn more at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/emp-ici-menu.html.

Worker’s Compensation

Worker’s Compensation (WC) covers a mental or physical injury resulting from a work-related accident or occupational disease. You do not have to enroll in this plan as you are automatically covered if an employee-employer relationship exists. Benefits include payment of medical bills and compensation for lost wages. Learn more at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/emp-wkc-menu.html.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTDI) is a benefit available through WRS if you become totally disabled for an indefinite duration due to a physical or mental illness. If you began or resumed WRS covered employment on or after Oct. 16, 1992, you are eligible for LTDI disability, not WRS disability described below. To be eligible, you must be a participating WRS employee and not have reached normal retirement age (generally age 65). You must have earned .33 years of creditable service in at least five of the seven preceding calendar years from the date you apply. If your disability is work related, the service requirement does not apply. Learn more at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/emp-disability-menu.html.

WRS Disability

This benefit is available to those who participated in WRS prior to Oct. 16, 1992, and remained continuously employed until becoming disabled. These employees may apply for WRS disability OR the LTDI benefit. You must be totally disabled for an indefinite time due to a physical or mental illness and have a total of at least five years of creditable service out of the last seven years before the year in which you apply, or at least one-half year of service in each of five of the years. If your disability is work related, the service requirement does not apply. Learn more at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/emp-disability-menu.html.