Disability FAQ

• Am I eligible for disability benefits?
• How can I apply for disability benefits?
• When should I apply for disability benefits?
• What happens after I submit my application for disability benefits?
• Is there anything else I need to do after I submit my disability application?
• Who pays for the disability exam if I am required to see another physician?
• When are disability benefits paid?
• When will my disability benefit begin?
• What if I have a lot of sick leave and my employer continues to pay my sick leave longer than the 60-day waiting period?
• After the 60 days expire, will SURS pay disability benefits back to the last day I worked?
• How much will I receive each month while I am disabled?
• Who should I contact if I have questions while my application for disability benefits is being processed?
• Can I work while on disability?

• Why do I have to be re-evaluated for my disability benefit?
• How does SURS determine how often I will be evaluated?
• When will I receive my recheck letter?
• What do I have to do for a recheck?

Am I eligible for disability benefits?
You may claim disability benefits if you have at least two years of service credit and become unable to perform your job due to illness. There is no minimum service credit required to claim disability benefits if you become disabled due to an accident.

How can I apply for disability benefits?
You should request an Application for Disability Benefits from the Personnel or Benefits Office on your campus. The application should be submitted to the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) after you, your employer, and your physician have completed their portions and attached appropriate medical documents.

When should I apply for disability benefits?
You should complete the application IMMEDIATELY if your disability is expected to last more than 60 days. If you are unsure whether your disability will last 60 days or longer, you should still complete an application.

What happens after I submit my application for disability benefits?
Once a completed application is received at the SURS office, the Medical Claims Processor then recommends whether you will be eligible for benefits based upon the medical information received. After reviewing your claim, the Medical Claims Processor will notify you in writing.

Is there anything else I need to do after I submit my disability application?
You might be asked by the SURS Medical Claims Processor to have an additional examination done by another physician.

Who pays for the disability exam if I am required to see another physician?
SURS is responsible for payment when the Medical Claims Processor requires you to see another physician.

When are disability benefits paid?
Benefits are paid on the last working day of the month for the current month. For example, benefits due for January are paid on January 31.

When will my disability benefit begin?
There is a 60-day waiting period before you are eligible to receive your SURS disability benefit. At the end of your 60-day waiting period, if you have been paid all your accumulated sick leave and you are still disabled, your benefit will begin to accrue on the 61st day of your disability.

What if I have a lot of sick leave and my employer continues to pay my sick leave longer than the 60-day waiting period?
By law, you must exhaust all accumulated sick leave before your SURS disability can begin. Therefore, if your sick leave lasts longer than 60 days, your disability benefit will begin to accrue immediately following your last day of paid sick leave, assuming you remain disabled. Law does not require you to exhaust your vacation before benefits can begin; however, please check with your Benefits Office regarding their policies.

After the 60 days expire, will SURS pay disability benefits back to the last day I worked?
The laws governing the System do not allow any payment of benefits for the first 60 days. Therefore, your payment will not be retroactive to your last day of work.

How much will I receive each month while I am disabled?
You will receive either 50% of the monthly salary you were receiving at the time you became disabled, or 50% of your average earnings for the 24 months prior to the date you became disabled, whichever is greater.

Who should I contact if I have questions while my application for disability benefits is being processed?
You may contact the SURS Call Center. They can be reached at 800-275-7877; in Champaign-Urbana at 217-378-8800. Fax 217-378-9800.

Can I work while on disability?
A SURS member on disability is allowed to work part-time and earn up to the amount of his or her disability check. If the member earns more than the amount of disability, SURS is required to reduce the monthly disability benefit amount.

If a member on disability goes over his or her monthly benefit amount often, SURS puts the benefit on HOLD to prevent overpayments. These members mail or fax to SURS a form to verify exactly how much money he or she earned for the month.

Disability Rechecks

Why do I have to be reevaluated for my disability benefit?
It is required by SURS statute that periodically, current medical documentation be requested to certify that you remain disabled.

How does SURS determine how often I will be evaluated?
The reevaluation date is determined by the medical documentation that is received from your physician and what type of disability you have. A recheck date could be scheduled anywhere from one month to three years.

When will I receive my recheck letter?
Recheck letters are mailed the first Tuesday in the month of the recheck date. For example, if you have a September recheck date, your letter will be mailed the first Tuesday in September.

What do I have to do for a recheck?
SURS will send you information regarding your recheck in the same month of your recheck date. The information is usually mailed in the first week of each month. If for any reason the recheck information is mailed late, you will have 60 days from the time the letter is sent to get the information back to SURS. If you are trying to get an appointment your doctor and the earliest date the appointment can be scheduled is past the deadline, you must notify SURS immediately to receive an extension.