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Disability

Short- and Long-Term Disability

If you become disabled and are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, you may be eligible for Disability Insurance. This includes Short-Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD).

The administrator is Lincoln Financial Group.

STD Coverage

Boston Children’s pays the full cost of your STD insurance. You’re automatically enrolled in STD after completing 90 days of continuous service.

How STD Works:

  • If you become disabled and are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury for seven or more calendar days, you will receive 60% of your weekly base pay, up to a maximum of $2,000 per week, for up to 26 weeks.
  • If you become disabled, you must file a claim with both the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) and Lincoln Financial.
  • Note that benefits begin after the 7-day elimination period (no payments during this time).
  • Payments are taxable income; FICA is automatically withheld. You may request federal and state tax withholding during the application process.
  • For full details, refer to the Leave of Absence page and HR Policy Manual on The Hub: Online

Massachusetts Paid Family Leave (MA PFML)

If you are a resident of Massachusetts, you are eligible for Massachusetts Paid Family Leave (MA PFML). STD and MA PFML work together to ensure that you have income during your leave. Here’s how they work together:

  • If you go out on STD, if eligible, you’ll also receive a payment through the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MAPFML) program.
  • Your STD payment from Lincoln Financial will be reduced by the amount you receive from MAPFML.
  • Your STD coverage doesn’t change, but benefits will be paid separately by the state and Lincoln Financial.
  • In some cases, your MAPFML payment may equal or exceed your STD benefit — in those situations, you won’t receive an additional payment from Lincoln Financial.
  • And if your MAPFML claim is denied you may still be eligible for an STD benefit.

LTD Coverage

You may find that your STD extends beyond the 26 weeks covered by Boston Children’s. In this case, you are eligible for Long-Term Disability (LTD).

LTD provides monthly income if you’re unable to work due to a covered illness or injury. Benefits may continue up to age 65 — or longer if your disability begins after age 60.

How LTD Works:

  • Enrollment is required
  • You can choose from:
    • 60% of monthly base pay (up to $20,000/month)
    • 40% of monthly base pay (up to $20,000/month)
  • Benefits are offset by other income (e.g., Social Security, Workers’ Compensation)
  • You’re considered totally disabled if unable to perform your own job for 36 months; after that, any job you’re reasonably qualified for
  • Mental health/substance use coverage limited to 24 months per occurrence

LTD Plan Bi-weekly Rates

You pay 100% of the cost of LTD on an after-tax basis:

LTD Plan option

Rate per $100 of Monthly Pay*

40% Plan

$0.12666

60% Plan

$0.25644
*Rounding will occur

For example, if your annual salary is $75,000, divide by 12 to get your monthly salary = $6,250:

  • Divide monthly salary by 100 = $62.50
  • For 40% LTD, multiply by 0.12666 = $7.92 per paycheck
  • For 60% LTD, multiply by 0.25644 = $16.03 per paycheck

Evidence of Insurability (EOI)

If you don’t enroll in LTD coverage when first eligible — or if you enroll in the 40% option — you’ll need to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form to increase to the 60% option or enroll later. Coverage begins once approved by the carrier.