This benefit is only available to you if you meet the eligibility requirements described previously and you work for the City of New York, under the jurisdiction of CWA Local 1182 and are not on a leave of absence at the time of the injury or illness. If you suffer an injury on the job or suffer from an illness due to the job, you must apply for workers’ compensation. In the event that a workers compensation claim is denied because the disability did not arise in the course of employment, then you need to furnish the Fund Office with copies of the notice of controversy and medical reports in order to qualify for disability benefits. This benefit is not available to dependents. Please see downloadable resources for initial paperwork.
Please keep in mind these instructions for filing initial disability paperwork:
Sheet 3 Instructions.
WHAT YOUR BENEFITS ARE
If you become totally disabled and unable to work because of an accident or illness off the job, you will receive a weekly benefit $200 minus FICA.
PROOF OF DISABILITY
You submit proof of your disability on a form prescribed by the Trustees no later than 30 calendar days after your first sick no pay day (FSNP) due to the disability for which you are claiming benefits. Disability forms are provided by the Fund Office.
Benefits begin on the ninth (9th) sick no pay day following an illness or accident. However, benefits are not payable while you being paid for your “sick days”. In other words, you must use up your sick days before you can collect benefits from the Fund. You may choose to use your vacation days (annual leave), the waiting period of 8 days from the FSNP always applies. At no time will you get paid for the first 8 SNP days.
Payments continue for up to a maximum of 26 weeks during the 12 month period from the onset of the illness or injury you are claiming benefits for. You are allowed one claim every 365 days. A follow-up evaluation is required every 25-30 days during your time out – it must be submitted to the Fund Office no later than 10 days, past the due date indicated on the top of the evaluation form sent to you. Failure to do so, may jeopardize your continuation of disability benefits.
At any time, continuation of your disability payment may be subject to your submitting to an examination by an independent doctor of the Fund’s choosing.
There is one important exception to the benefit’s maximum payment period. If a disability is due to substance abuse (brought on by dependence on drugs or alcohol), then a total of no more than 26 weeks of benefits for the substance abuse will be paid in any three year period.
Claim forms are available from the Fund Office.
MATERNITY DISABILITY
Members are entitled to disability due to pregnancy. If you deliver vaginally, you will receive 8 weeks of disability pay. If a caesarean delivery is necessary, you will be entitled to 10 weeks of disability pay. A copy of your operative report is needed to qualify for the extra 2 weeks. When an illness disables you during your pregnancy, no more than a total of 26 weeks of disability is allowed.
Please note weekly sickness benefits are taxable income.
For complete coverage information, please download the complete Benefits Plan handbook Here >>
