DISABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
Recent Disability Insurance Program Changes
- The Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Act and Grant-In-Aid Bill included language to reduce the elimination period in the Short Term Disability program from 60 calendar days to 30 calendar days for disabilities that begin on or after August 1, 2010.
Plan Administrator
- The Hartford's Website
Note: STD and LTD beneficiaries are provided with a personal and confidential User ID and Password for claim tracking purposes.
Short Term Disability (STD) Claim Filing Instructions
- Please call The Hartford's toll-free telephone number of (866) 945-7781 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday, to file your STD claim.
- You may also file your STD claim online at www.TheHartfordAtWork.com. Under the "Access your Account" section, click on "Start a Claim", then click "Start a Short-Term Disability Claim". You must type in the State of Delaware’s policy number of 071675 to continue your online submission. Within 24 business hours, a Hartford representative will return your call to review your online claim submission.
Be prepared to provide the following information to the Hartford:
- Name and Social Security Number
- Name of agency or school district and the last day of active employment
- Name and phone number of Manager or Benefit Representative
- Nature of claim and whether it is work related
- Treating physician’s name, address and telephone number
- Confirmation of whether you are also employed by the University of Delaware or Delaware Solid Waste Authority in a pension eligible position
Remember to contact your physician to authorize the release of medical information required by The Hartford to process your claim.
Documentation and Forms
- Short-Term Disability (STD) Appeals Process
- Short Term Disability (STD) Booklet – Effective August 1, 2010
- Long Term Disability (LTD) Booklet – Effective January 1, 2009
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Wallet Card Brochure
- Disability Insurance Program Highlights Summary
- Process Flow Tips - Merit Employee on Extended Leave
Return To Work (RTW)
- Return To Work Guidelines
- The Hartford's Return to Work Approach (.doc)
- RTW During Short Term Disability*
- RTW During Long Term Disability
- Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative
*As Return To Work assistance is compulsory per 29 Del. C. §5257 of the Delaware Code, employees enrolled in the Disability Insurance Program (DIP) who expect to be out of work for less than 30 calendar days continue to be eligible to utilize the services of the Return to Work Coordinator from the Statewide Benefits Office. Return to work assistance may be requested by the employee and/or by the employing organization. The Return to Work Coordinator will always consult with the employee and the employing organization when assisting employees. The Return to Work Coordinator may also consult with the employee’s health care provider(s) to acquire and/or clarify an employee’s restrictions and/or limitations if applicable, to facilitate a safe return to the workplace.
