Disability Leave
Overview
Disability coverage provides you and your family with an important source of income replacement should illness or injury prevent you from working for a sustained period of time. You have two types of disability coverage available:
The disability coverage benefits you receive are reduced by any disability income you are eligible to receive from other sources, including Social Security disability benefits (including amounts for which your dependents may qualify because of your disability), Workers’ Compensation, Occupational Disease Law, “no-fault” auto insurance, state-mandated benefits, and any other company-provided disability income benefits. Disability coverage is provided by The Hartford. To learn about salary continuation disability benefits that may be mandated in the state where you live, contact your local benefits representative.
Short-Term Disability
You receive short-term disability (STD) coverage automatically through a salary continuation plan at no cost to you. Coverage is available if you become disabled due to a non-occupational illness or injury for more than 7 calendar days. If you are approved for disability benefits by The Hartford, STD may begin to replace 100% of your base pay for up to 26 weeks based on your years of service with a Publicis company.
| Years of Service as of the Day You Become Disabled | Weeks of Salary Continuation |
|---|---|
| 0 to 1 year | 4 weeks |
| 1 to 2 years | 8 weeks |
| 2 to 3 years | 12 weeks |
| 3 to 4 years | 16 weeks |
| 4 to 5 years | 20 weeks |
| Over 5 years | 26 weeks |
If you live in New Jersey, New York or California, a statutory plan is provided to you at a minimal cost. Your STD paycheck from the Publicis will be offset by the amount you receive for the state benefit, if you are receiving STD salary continuance.
Elimination Period
The elimination period for a disability due to injury or sickness is 7 calendar/5 business days.
If the elimination period is paid, benefits become payable on the 1st day of disability/elimination period.
If the elimination period is unpaid, benefits are payable effective the 8th calendar day/6th business day.
How to File a Claim
The elimination period for a disability due to injury or sickness is 7 calendar/5 business days.
If you are absent from work for more than 7 consecutive calendar days and it is non-work related, complete the Leave of Absence Request Form.
If you are absent from work, contact The Hartford at 1-888-277-4767 between 8 am and 9pm ET Monday through Fridays (reference STD group #342283)
Have the following information ready:
Name, address, phone number, and other key identification information
Name of your department and last day of active full-time work
Your HR Representative’s name and phone number
The nature of your claim
Your treating physician’s name, address and phone number
For STD questions, including information about offsets, coverage exclusions and limitations, contact The Hartford at 1-888-277-4767. Your STD group number is 342283. The Hartford website allows you to initiate a disability claim, check the status of a claim, check claim and payment history status and more.
Maternity Claims
Expecting mothers may be approved to go out on STD up to two (2) weeks prior to delivery, contingent upon The Hartford’s approval. STD claims reflecting a first day out prior to delivery are handled case by case and require valid documentation to warrant the disability leave. STD claims approved prior to delivery will apply towards the employee’s eligible STD salary continuance.
Basic Long-Term Disability
Long-term disability insurance provides income replacement benefits if you are injured or ill for 180 days. Your company-provided long-term disability insurance coverage, provided at no cost to you, is equal to 40% of your base pay, up to a maximum base pay of $300,000 with a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month.
For LTD questions, including information about offsets, coverage exclusions and limitations, contact The Hartford at 1- 888-277-4767. Your LTD group number is 377715. The Hartford website allows you to initiate a disability claim, check the status of a claim, check claim and payment history status, and more.
Supplemental Long-Term Disability
To supplement your company-provided LTD coverage, you may purchase additional amounts of LTD coverage.
Level One
Benefit equal to 20% of your base pay amount up to $300,000 (for total coverage of 60% of your base pay) with a maximum combined monthly benefit of $15,000.
If your base pay is less than $300,000, you only need to select Level One coverage for the highest coverage level available for supplemental LTD.
Level Two
Benefit equal to 60% of your base pay amount exceeding $300,000 with a maximum combined monthly benefit of $25,000.
If your base pay exceeds $300,000, you only need to select Level Two coverage for the highest coverage level available (an additional 20% benefit on the first $300,000 of base pay and 60% on base pay over $300,000, to a maximum of $500,000 in base pay).
Pre-Existing Conditions
A pre-existing condition is a condition for which medical treatment or advice was rendered, prescribed, or recommended or for which you had symptoms for which a reasonable, prudent person would seek advice, treatment, or services for the condition within three months prior to your effective date of insurance.
A condition will no longer be considered pre-existing if it causes a disability that begins after you have been insured under the policy for a period of 12 months.
Contacts
Benefits Service Center
Weekdays, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm ET
The Hartford
1-866-547-4205 (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity)
Short-Term Disability Group Number: 342283
Long-Term Disability Group Number: 377715