The elimination period means “the period of your disability during which MetLife does not pay benefits.” The elimination period starts on the day you become disabled and continues for the period shown in your schedule of benefits. The elimination period runs concurrently with any pay received for accrued leave, sick leave and compensatory leave. All “leave” is required to be exhausted before benefit payments will begin. You are NOT required to use days from the Sick Leave Bank. However, if you withdraw days from your Sick Leave Bank, any Sick Leave Bank days that extend beyond the STD benefit start date will be an offset to the STD benefit. You will not be paid from two different sources for your disability. Your disability payment from MetLife will begin after your pay from the Sick Leave Bank ends.
For short term disability, there are two elimination period options available to employees:
- Option A has an elimination period of 14 days for both accident and sickness.
- Option B has an elimination period of 30 days for both accident and sickness.
For long term disability, there are two elimination period options :
- Options 1 and 3 have an elimination period of 90 days.
- Options 2 and 4 have an elimination period of 180 days.
The length of the elimination period affects the premium rate. A shorter elimination period means your monthly premium will be higher. A longer elimination period means you pay a lower monthly premium because you wait longer to receive a benefit.
Please note that the long term disability insurance FAQs are for state employees only. The state of Tennessee does not offer long term disability insurance to higher education employees. If you are a higher education employee, direct questions on LTD to your agency benefits coordinator.