Long Term Disability Income coverage directive

Overview

This directive describes employee coverage under the Long Term Disability Income (LTDI) Continuance Plan, including effective date and end date of employee premiums, coverage during a leave of absence and when coverage terminates.

When bodily injury or illness causes an employee to be away from work for at least 80 consecutive normal work days or the equivalent number of hours of work, the period starting from the day the employee stops or partially stops work is called the elimination period.

LTDI coverage and premium contributions

Coverage is mandatory. Permanent salaried employees are eligible and automatically enrolled in the LTDI plan beginning the first day of the pay period after the employee completes three consecutive months of employment without absence due to illness or disability, except for casual illness. The full premium will be collected on the first day of the pay period.

Temporary salaried employees are eligible and automatically enrolled in the LTDI Plan beginning the first day of the pay period after the employee completes one year of continuous salaried employment and the deputy head determines that the temporary position has or would have continued through the elimination period. The full premium will be collected on the first day of the pay period.

An employee hired by a contract of employment may be covered as set out in the terms of the contract.

The Public Service Commissioner will designate coverage for an employee in any other type of position.

Coverage during a leave of absence

An employee will be covered under the LTDI plan for a period not exceeding 12 consecutive months from the date the employee begins leave if the employee is:

• on authorized staff development leave initiated and approved by the employer;
• serving on assignment with the United Nations or a foreign or domestic government where disability coverage is not available.

Coverage under the plan continues for an employee on a leave of absence without pay. However, benefits are not payable during the leave and, if applicable, premiums are not paid.

Termination of coverage and premium contributions

Employee coverage ceases on the earliest of the following:

• the date of the employee's 65th birthday;
• the date the employee occupies a position not eligible for coverage if the employee is not receiving benefits under the Plan at that time;
• the date the department terminates the employee's service if the employee is not receiving benefits under the Plan at that time;
• the date the employee resigns from government service.

Premiums cease on the earliest of the following:

• the last day of the pay period in which the employee is 80 days prior to their 65th birthday;
• the last day of the pay period in which the employee occupies a position not eligible for coverage if the employee is not receiving benefits under the Plan at that time;
• the last day of the pay period in which the department terminates the employee's service if the employee is not receiving benefits under the Plan at that time;
• the last day of the pay period in which the employee resigns from government service.

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