The SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan (VSTD) has temporarily suspended the elimination period for COVID-19 disabilities. Previously, the waiver of the elimination period began in the month of March and extended through May of this year and then was once again extended until November 2020.
SMART, in conjunction with Southern Benefit Administrators, is pleased to announce that the waiver of the elimination period is being extended through February 28, 2021. Effective with all diagnosed COVID-19 disabilities beginning in the months of March 2020 through February 2021, the Plan’s elimination period will be waived. A member must usually be disabled for 21 days before benefits will begin on the 22nd day. With the waiver of the elimination period, members who have tested positive for COVID-19 will have earlier access to benefits.
The waiting period will be reinstated for COVID-19 disabilities beginning on or after March 1, 2021.
Click here for a pdf of this announcement.
Tag: vstd
Dear Member:
As many of you may recall, the SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan temporarily suspended the Elimination Period for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities. In an announcement to you dated April 15, 2020, we communicated that the Elimination Period was being waived for any COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities beginning in the months of March, April and May 2020. In an announcement dated June 17, 2020, we advised that the Plan would be extending the waiver for three (3) more months through August 2020.
We are pleased to announce that the waiver of the elimination period is extended through November 30, 2020. So, effective with all diagnosed COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities beginning in the months of March through November 2020, the Plan’s Elimination Period will be waived. Members must usually be disabled for 21 days before benefits will begin on the 22nd day. This is known as the Elimination Period or Waiting Period. We are waiving this Waiting Period for positive COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities. This change will expedite and increase benefits for approved applicants so that you will have immediate access to money. The Waiting Period will be reinstated for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) disabilities beginning on and after December 1, 2020.
We are pleased that the Plan can take this action on your behalf. We wish you and your family health and wellness during these trying times.
Sincerely,
Board of Trustees
Mr. Joseph Sellers Jr.,
General President SMART
Mr. Jeremy Ferguson,
President-SMART Transportation Division
Mr. Joseph Powell,
General Secretary-Treasurer SMART
The SMART Voluntary Short Term Disability Plan is administered by:
Southern Benefit Administrators, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1449
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37070-1449
Toll-Free: (844) 880-1071, Fax: (615) 859-0201
View this announcement in PDF form.
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following changes to the Voluntary Short Term Disability (VSTD) plans for bus and rail members, effective January 1, 2017:
VSTD changes for bus members
For Bus Members, the maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from $210 to $240.
The Elimination Period for Bus Members, which is the waiting period between the first day of a disability and the date benefits actually begin, will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days (benefits will begin on the 22nd day of disability).
Click here for additional information.
VSTD changes for rail members
For Rail Members, the maximum weekly VSTD benefit will increase from $400 to $450.
The Elimination Period for Rail Members, which is the waiting period between the first day of a disability and the date benefits actually begin, will be reduced from 30 days to 21 days (benefits will begin on the 22nd day of disability).
Click here for additional information.
Haven’t enrolled in VSTD? Click here for information on late enrollment options.
The trustees of the SMART Group Voluntary Short Term Disability program are pleased to announce that, effective March 1, 2015, the $346 per week maximum short-term disability benefit will increase to a maximum of $400 per week for 34 weeks, with no change in premium.
This increased benefit will apply to all disabilities that begin on or after March 1, 2015. Any disabilities that began prior to March 1, 2015, will be paid under the $346 per week benefit provision.
Watch the Transportation Division website for further details.