Long- and Short-term Disability

  • Short-term Disability: The benefits described on this page are considered short-term, 12 months or less.
  • Permanent and Total Disability: If you are totally and permanently disabled, you may apply for Retirement Plan benefits, regardless of your age. You will be considered totally and permanently disabled only if you are entitled to a Social Security Disability Benefit, which is effective during the time of your Covered Employment or immediately following.

Forms to File:

Eligibility

The Board of Trustees recently simplified the rules by requiring that the IBEW Local 617 member be a Participant in the Plan and eligible for medical when the disability began. The Plan provides a benefit for up to twelve months for each disability. However, if you have worked for a non-signatory electrical contractor, you are not eligible for disability benefits. Plan participants who became disabled under prior rules are grandfathered under the rule that was in effect when their disability began.

  • Covered employment means any month in which a person has been working for a participating employer (one who is a signatory to a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 617) or has made a self-payment.
  • Electrical construction industry includes any public or private employer in a unit represented by IBEW Local 617 for which contributions are paid or required to be paid to the Disability Plan Trustee.

Definition of Disabled

A person is considered disabled if they are unable, solely because of disease or injury, to work as an electrician as determined by the Board of Trustees. To be considered disabled, a person must be under the care of a licensed physician and cannot be registered on the IBEW Local 617 out-of-work list.

Proof that a person continues to be disabled may be required at reasonable intervals by the Trust. If a person fails to furnish proof or refuses to be examined by a physician (designated and paid for by the Trust), such person will no longer be considered disabled. The Trustees will suspend disability benefits under the Plan for lack of cooperation.

Disability Benefit

Amount: The Disability Benefit consists of a maximum monthly amount of $1000. This amount may change in the future. The benefit begins on the last day of the month after the elimination period. Benefit payments are pro-rated daily for the months when benefits begin and end. In addition, the Disability Plan will pay the total cost of the Life, AD&D, Medical, and Dental coverages for a person receiving disability benefits from the Plan for no more than 12 months per disability.

Elimination Period: A person must be continuously and totally disabled for thirty (30) days before they are eligible for paid benefits. Total disability starts on the first visit with a licensed physician or hospital for the disability.

Payments: Qualified Participants receive disability payments starting on the last day of the month that completes the elimination period. Disability payments stop for whichever occurs first:

  • 12 months of benefits are paid
  • recovery from disability
  • accepts a benefit payment from any electrical industry Retirement Plan (e.g., NEBF, IBEW, or the San Mateo County Electrical Construction Industry Retirement Trust)
  • reaches age 65
  • receives regular Social Security benefits (not Social Security Disability benefits)
  • death

Periods of Disability are defined as follows:

  • A Participant receives a maximum of 12 months of benefits for each related period of disability.
  • A disability for an unrelated cause is payable only if separated by 12 months after returning to active service and the qualifying requirements stated in the Eligibility section.
  • Only one elimination period is required during successive periods of disability, which are considered as one period of disability.
  • Under the Plan, pregnancy is considered a related disability.

Exceptions

Benefits Improperly Paid: If a Participant receives a benefit that they are not entitled to, they must repay the Trust. Improper payments that are not repaid will be deducted from future benefits.

Third-Party Responsibility: If an eligible person’s disability is caused by an act or omission of a third party, the disabled participant is required to assign their claim for reimbursement, indemnification, damages, or other redresses to the Plan up to the amount of disability benefits paid or payable to the disabled person. To receive benefits under the Plan, a disabled Participant agrees to reimburse the Plan for recovery from a third party and permit the Plan to intervene or otherwise participate in any lawsuit, arbitration, or other proceedings.

Exclusions: Certain disabilities are beyond the scope of this Disability Benefit Plan. Therefore, a person will not receive benefits for disability arising from any of the following causes:

  • Intentional self-inflicted injuries, alcoholism or drug abuse.
  • The commission of or participation in crime (and no actual conviction is required).
  • An act of war (whether declared or not), insurrection, rebellion, or participation in a riot or civil commotion.
  • Bodily injury or disease due to willful engagement in any illegal activity, occupation, or self-inflection.
  • Any other injury resulting from chronic alcoholism, use of alcohol, or the use of narcotics unless administered under the orders of a licensed physician.

Health Care Eligibility

  • Disabled Participants are those who have full Social Security Benefit Award and have applied for and are receiving Medicare Parts A & B.
  • Disabled Participants under age 65 who reside inside the Retiree Plan’s approved California Medicare supplement or Medicare HMO service area, and currently have coverage by the San Mateo Electrical Workers Health Care Benefits Plan, shall qualify for Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage.
  • Disabled Participants under age 65 who reside outside the Retiree Plan’s approved California HMO, Medicare Supplement or Medicare HMO service area, may elect a PPO plan. The contribution will be 65% of the total premium.