Long-Term Disability Claims
After one year of employment, all full-time faculty and staff receive Basic Long-Term Disability insurance.
GW’s long term disability (LTD) benefit provides either 60% or 66 and 2/3% (depending on the election) of the LTD recipient’s annual benefits eligible salary in effect at the time the disability began. If approved, LTD benefit payments will begin after a 180 day benefit elimination period.
For questions about your LTD claim, please contact the long term disability carrier managing your claim.
Benefits Continuation
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 a quick 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 only continue coverage as required under COBRA.
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 Employee Relations at (202) 994-9656 or [email protected].
Contact GW Benefits for information on applying for LTD benefits.