Disability Insurance

Did you know that you’re not covered by California Disability Insurance?  California educators do not pay into Social Security, so we also don’t pay into CASDI like every other employee in California.  Sure, you have sick leave like most workers, but do you have enough for several years if you had a disability caused by an illness or an accident on the job or off the job?  Of course you don’t.  Nobody does.

You’re not going to remember much of this so Suzanne, the Standard rep, and I will visit EVERY school site during October and November.   

Download the Flyer here for more information.

Or, click here to visit the Standard Disability website created just for MEA to provide more information.

Our Standard Disability Insurance Campaign is during the months of October and November.  This campaign allows a member to purchase Standard Disability Insurance without any health care exam or questions being asked.  This only happens every four years, so I would encourage those of you that don’t have it to seriously consider it. Many of you have contacted me with horror stories about American Fidelity, so don’t believe me about it.  Believe your fellow staffers.  If someone loves American Fidelity, ask if they have ever had to use it.  If they haven’t, they haven’t read the fine print.
 
Fun facts…

1. The Standard Disability Plan was written by CTA staff.  CTA created a plan that you deserve, and notified insurance companies to submit a quote.  Standard was the only insurance carrier that offered to implement the strict conditions at the price set by CTA.
2. Standard’s rates are based on your income and have never increased in my 37 years of teaching.
3. Standard accepts all pre-existing conditions. You cannot be turned down.  American Fidelity doesn’t offer this. Recently, a young educator asked me if she was covered because she was pregnant.  Pregnancy is definitely a pre-exiting condition!  I said yup.  She was really surprised. 
4. On the job disabilities are covered with the Standard plan. American Fidelity does not cover on the job claims.
5. Standard covers claims during the summer.  American Fidelity does too…for a fee.
6. Standard covers ALL illnesses, accidents, and disabilities.  American Fidelity requires you to pay extra for cancer and other illnesses.
7. If you had a serious disability, Standard covers 75% of your income(tax free) for two years.  This is after your sick leave is used up along with any catastrophic leave and differential leave. If you were still disabled, you were retire under STRS Retirement Disability.
8. I would encourage you to donate one sick day to the District Catastrophic Leave Bank if you haven’t done so already.  This is usually done during October.  Look for the paper in your mailbox.