September 9, 2010   Frequently Asked Questions   How can I apply for disability benefits?   If you are unable to work due to an illness or injury, you can contact Benefit Consultant's a (314) 822-7890 x123 to request a disability claim form be mailed to you, or you may download this form from the 'Forms' section of our web site. You must complete the top portion of the form; you then give the form to your doctor to complete the middle portion on the claim form. The form must be returned to Benefit Consultants for processing. a) We will contact your employer and get the last day you worked, your hourly rate and the number of hours in your normal workweek. b) For disabilities commencing on or after January 1, 2003, weekly disability income benefits will be limted to 26 weeks. You are eligibile to collect 66 2/3% of your normal weekly wages up to a maximum of $425.00 per week. You will receive disability benefits for the fourth working day you are off and will continue to collect disability with verification from your physician. After the first 26 weeks, if you are determined to be unable to work at any and all substantial gainful occupations, your weekly disability income benefits will continue for up to an additional 26 weeks at a reduced amount of 50% of your regular weekly earnings subject to a maximum of $320.00 per week. Weekly disability income benefits are limited to a maximum of 52 weeks in any 2-year period for disabilities due to any and all causes. c) Disability checks are issued every Friday. d) Disability information not received in the Fund office by 4:30 on Thursday will be processed the following week. e) If you are off longer than 5 months, you will be asked to file for Social Security disability benefits. f) If you are approved for Social Security Disability while collecting your short-term disability of 52 weeks, the Fund will coordinate with Social Security so that you will not collect more or less, than you would normally collect from the Fund in the 52-week period. g) If you are approved for Social Security disability benefits while on short-term disability, your medical and dental benefits will stay in effect for you and your dependents (covered at the time your disability began) until you become eligible for Medicare. h) You will become eligible for Medicare two years from the date you first receive Social Security disability benefits or the first of the month in the month that you turn 65, whichever one occurs first. i) If an overpayment of benefits occurs due to late approval by Social Security, you will be expected to refund to the Fund any amount overpaid.   BACK   St. Louis Graphic Arts Joint Health & Welfare Fund 14323 South Outer Forty Rd. - Suite S106 Chesterfield, Missouri 63017 Fund Office: (314) 878-1579 twesthues@slgahw.org Fax: (314) 275-2640   If you have any comments about this web site, please contact us at twesthues@slgahw.org.   Site Concept and Design ©2002 jWeb. Maintenance and Hosting provided by jWeb.