Disability Benefits

Ohio University provides a long term disability (LTD) benefits through Lincoln National for all benefits eligible employees. LTD benefits are not automatic; employees must apply and be approved to receive them. Employees may enroll and pay premium coverage for UNUM Short Term Disability (STD).

Employees enrolled in the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS), may be eligible for disability retirement benefits from those systems. STRS and OPERS disability benefits are dependent on the retirement plan the employee has chosen. Employees enrolled in the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) are not eligible for OPERS or STRS benefits. These employees are only eligible for Lincoln National Long Term Disability.

The following is a summary of disability benefits available to university employees. This is not an official plan document. Official plan documents and/or STRS and OPERS rules will supersede this summary in case of discrepancies.

*Coverage prior to 7/1/2026 were through UNUM. 

OPERS Disability Retirement

OPERS provides disability benefits for members enrolled in the Traditional and Combined plans. Health care may also be available. Employees should contact OPERS at 1-800-222-7377 to determine eligibility for disability benefits and health care benefits. Visit OPERS Disability Benefits Program for more information.

STRS Disability Retirement

STRS disability benefits are dependent on the retirement plan the member has chosen. Health care may also be available. Employees should contact STRS at 1-888-227-7877 to determine eligibility for disability benefits and health care benefits. Visit STRS Disability Benefits for more information.

Long Term Disability

Eligibility: Benefits eligible employees are automatically enrolled and eligible for LTD effective on their date of hire.

Benefit: A monthly benefit of 60% of covered monthly earnings to a maximum of $20,000 per month, minus other income benefits. Other income benefits include benefits paid by OPERS, STRS, Social Security, Workers Compensation, etc.

Example: If an employee is receiving a 40% disability benefit from OPERS, Lincoln National will provide 20% (60% maximum minus 40% other income benefit). If an employee is not receiving any other income benefits, Lincoln National will pay a benefit of 60%.

Maximum Duration of Benefits

Elimination Period: Benefits begin the day after 90 consecutive days of total disability.

Health Care: Health care is not provided by Lincoln National, nor Ohio University, for employees who are approved for disability benefits.

Short Term Disability

You must elect coverage and pay premiums to be eligible for STD benefits offered through Lincoln National. Premiums are based on your age and your salary and are paid on an after-tax basis.

Short term disability is designed to pay a percentage of your income (60%) if you are unable to work for a short period of time due to illness or injury and you have used all of your sick leave benefits. The benefit would begin 14 calendar days after the date of your disability (illness or injury) or exhaustion of sick leave, whichever is later. The benefit can continue up to 13 weeks, at which point Long Term Disability may be available.

Faculty and Staff who do not have a large amount of sick leave accrued are encouraged to consider purchasing Short Term Disability insurance.

Plan Highlights:

Benefit: 60% of your weekly earnings to a maximum of $2,400

Coverage date: 14 calendar days after date of disability or exhaustion of sick leave, whichever is greater

Benefit Duration: 13 weeks

Pre-Existing Condition Clause: Conditions are not covered if you receive treatment, consultation, care, or services (including diagnostic procedures or prescribed drugs or medicines) in the 3 months prior to the effective date of coverage and the disability begins in the first 12 months of coverage.

To estimate your premium for coverage, please use the STD rate calculator.

Submit a Claim

Employees can submit a claim online to Lincoln National. 

1. Visit LincolnFinancial.com and create an account. First-time users will need to register using company code LF1993OHIO and by providing first and last name, birthdate, and the last four digits of the Social Security number.
2. Select Start a claim and answer a few questions.
   •  About you: You’ll need your employee identification number or other ID as required by your employer.
   • About your absence: Include the reason and dates of your absence, and if applicable, physician and diagnosis information.
3. Choose Submit.
   For short-term disability claims, you’ll be asked to download, sign, and submit a
   medical authorization form, which you or your claims specialist can provide to
   your doctor.
4. The confirmation page will provide a PDF document of your submittal. Save it for your records. You’ll need your claim number to view the status for the first time.
5. Check the status of your claim online at LincolnFinancial.com or the Lincoln Financial Mobile app. There, you can also opt in to text messaging. You’ll receive texts on the receipt, approval, and extension of an absence, benefit payment information, if applicable, and the closure or extension of a claim based on your return to work.

You can also submit your claim by calling Lincoln at 888-408-7300 and speaking with a representative.