Disability Insurance

See rates

Disability insurance is available to employees in the Diocese of Washington. New full-time employees have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll.

Effective January 1, 2006, clergy members of Church Pension Fund receive both Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage free of charge as long as their assessments are paid up to date. See notice from CPG and an example of the Enhanced Disability Benefits for clergy  here (pdf).

The following types of disability insurance are available for lay staff:

. IRP (Income Replacement Plan): This is a short-term disability plan offered through The Episcopal Church Medical Trust. New full-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll. Coverage begins on the 30th day the employee is out of work. The IRP pays 70% of the insured monthly compensation, up to $1,000 per week.

. LTD (Long-Term Disability): There are two plan types: Voluntary and Non-Contributory . Both Long-Term Disability benefits are offered by The Episcopal Church Medical Trust. Benefits start after 1 year of unemployment. New full-time employees have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll. Benefits are paid based on the insured's total monthly compensation.    

. Voluntary LTD Benefit Option: This plan is an optional benefit at the employee's expense. Since The Medical Trust will bill the parish for the employee's premiums. The parish can receive reimbursement from the employee either by payroll deduction or through invoicing the participant. Participants  have two options: 25% or 50% of their basic monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000 per month. While disabled, Benefits will be paid to the insured up to age 65. See below for rates.

. Non-Contributory Benefit Option: This plan is an Employer Provided Benefit and premiums are completely paid by the employer. All eligible employees must be enrolled in this plan if it is offered.  No reimbursement is expected from the participant. Salary replacement upon approved disability is 66 2/3% of compensation with a maximum of $5,000 per month. Premiums are based on actual salary and is $.67 per $100 of monthly payroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Disability Insurance is available from the Diocese?
Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance is offered through the Church Medical Trust of the Church Pension Group.

What is the purpose of Disability Insurance?
Short-term disability is an Income Replacement Plan (IRP). This is to ensure that employees' compensation will be continued when they are disabled and in need for less than a year. If the employee is going to be out longer than one year, their Long-Term Disability benefits kick in. Parishes do not need to offer both coverage's, but Short-Term is valuable. This frees the parish funds to hire someone temporarily for the same position without having to pay two employees salaries.

How do I sign up?
The Church House Benefits Administrator must receive a completed Request for Insurance Coverage form [pdf] (using free Acrobat Reader, you can type your information directly into the form and then either attach it as an e-mail or print it out and mail or fax it to Church House) from the Parish Administrator requesting coverage for the employee. Once the Church House Benefits Administrator receives this, they will send the employee a benefits package including everything they need to enroll.

When can I enroll?
New employees have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll in the disability plans. After the 60 days have past, employees will have to under go medical underwriting, and submit a health statement. Open Enrollment periods are sometimes offered. During open enrollments employee's who missed their window of opportunity may enroll.

When does my disability insurance become effective?
Disability insurance is effective the first of the month following your date of employment. If your date of hire falls on the first of the month, your coverage will be effective immediately.

Who can I contact with further questions?
Contact the Insurance Administrator in the Business Affairs Office at Church House at mmanson@edow.org or call 202/537-6522.

DISABILITY INSURANCE RATES

NOTE: All active clergy receive IRP and LTD  insurance coverage as a paid benefit through the Church Pension Group

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Episcopal Church House, Mount St. Alban, Washington D.C. 20016-5094
tel: 202/537-6555 • toll-free: 800/642-4427 • fax: 202/364-6605