Long-Term Disability Insurance
After one year of employment*, all full-time faculty and staff receive Basic Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. The one-year waiting period may be waived based on prior employer coverage (see below).
The basic LTD benefit covers:
- 60% of your monthly benefits-eligible salary, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month, after 180 days of disability. Your benefit may be reduced if you receive Social Security or other income supplements while you are disabled.
- Full-time staff and faculty members also have the option to elect a higher level of LTD coverage, known as the “Buy-Up” option. If you elect this option, your coverage will be 66 -2/3% of your monthly benefits eligible salary, up to a maximum of $12,000 per month, after 180 days of disability.
Duration of Benefit:
The maximum duration of your benefit is determined by medically supported need for disability as well as your age when you start receiving benefits. Please note that there are some limited pay periods for certain disabilities as outlined in the Certificate Booklet.
Prior Employment Verification
*As a new hire, you may be eligible to have the one year waiting period waived. Please complete the LTD Prior Coverage Verification Form (PDF) and send to GW Benefits within 30 calendar days of your hire date
Benefits Continuation during Long-Term Disability
LTD recipients who have been approved for LTD benefits while actively employed and covered under the LTD policy have several benefits enrollment options and other resources available while receiving LTD benefits.
LTD recipient benefits are available beginning the first of the month following the date of separation from the university. The Summary of LTD Recipient Benefits (PDF) provides an overview of current benefits available to LTD recipients.
Note: If you are eligible to retire at time of LTD approval, you would be eligible for retiree benefits enrollment options instead.
If your employment was terminated prior to LTD approval, you can continue coverage as required under COBRA.
For questions about an open LTD claim, please contact the long-term disability carrier managing your claim.
Contact Information Updates
We periodically mail information to LTD recipients, and may be unable to contact you without current contact information. In the event that you relocate in the future, please be sure we are notified of your new address and any change to your phone number. Please send address and telephone updates by mail, email or fax to GW Benefits.
Employment Status and Long-Term Disability
Approval of Long-Term Disability benefits does not guarantee continued employment. You must still follow applicable university policies for approval of job-protected leave, such as Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
If you believe you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may also request a reasonable accommodation to allow you to perform the essential functions of your position which may include a period of job-protected leave. Should your job-protected leave end while you are approved for LTD benefits, and you are unable to return to work, your employment at the university will be separated.
Re-Employment after Long-Term Disability
If the LTD carrier managing your LTD claim determines that you are able to work, with or without reasonable accommodation, and you are interested in re-employment with the university, you are welcome to apply and compete for any position that interests you. For information on job openings, please visit the GW Jobs website or contact Human Resources Management and Development at 202-994-8500.
If you believe that you may need a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, or after being selected for a position in order to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Access at (202) 994-9656 or [email protected].