Disability Insurance
Links:
Duty definition
Occupational definition
Ordinary definition
A physical or mental disability can be the most financially destructive event in a firefighter or paramedics professional life. The physical and mental stress is magnified by the resulting financial stress. Percentage of Salary – Payout Table based on category of Disability:
By nature, firefighters and paramedics are active people. An ordinary disability can happen to you. |
Active participants, removed from the Fire Department Payroll due to a medical leave of absence can make an application for disability benefits. There are three different types of disability with varying degrees of financial support.
Category of Disability:
Duty
Participants who become disabled as the result of a specific injury, or of cumulative injuries, or a specific sickness incurred in or resulting from an act or acts of duty are eligible for duty disability benefits during any period of such disability.
Occupational
Participants with a minimum of seven years of credible service that become disabled from heart disease, tuberculosis, any disease of the lungs or respiratory tract, AIDS, hepatitis C, stroke, or cancer resulting from his or her service in the department are entitled to occupational disease disability benefits during any period of such disability.
Ordinary
Ordinary disability benefits are provided for a participant who becomes disabled as the result of any cause other than duty or occupational disease disabilities. Ordinary disability benefits are payable for a period of half the participant’s service, limited to a maximum of five years.
Investigating additional disability insurance is an important consideration for you and your family. There can be medical bills that are not covered, insurance premiums, household expenses and more.
The most challenging type of disability is ordinary disability, when you become disabled as a result of a cause away from the job. The salary that is paid is 41% of what you are currently collecting and lasts for 5 years. The health care coverage expires after one year. (lay-up – 1 yr; convert to Ordinary Disability; no coverage; COBRA is avail.)
There is a formal process to apply for disability through the FABF.
There are additional resources for members that are on disability they should take advantage of.
They are listed below with the appropriate contact information.
Property Tax Reduction- There is a $2000 reduction in the EAV (equalize assessed value) of your property. While not a huge amount you will see a reduction in your taxes. There is a printable form and information on how to apply at www.cookcountyassessor.com. You will need a letter from the FABF to submit.
There are educational grants available to children of members on duty disability or killed in the line of duty. The member must be 90% permanently disabled. This is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 800-899-4722 or www.collegezone.com.
The Illinois Public Safety Employee Act provides for free healthcare for members and their families while on duty disability until age 63. At that point, the family should apply for the rest of the family.
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2433&ChapterID=68