Coverage will begin on October 1, 2025 (unless you are not actively at work on the October 1, 2025, effective date).

If you are not at work on October 1, 2025, for any reason other than paid vacation or a scheduled day off, your D&R coverage will not begin until your employer lets us know you have returned to full hours and duties.

If you are injured or become ill on or after October 1, 2025, a 119-day elimination period applies from the date of disability.  

Yes. There is a Pre-existing Condition Limitation provision that will be considered if you become Totally Disabled and have been covered under the D&R Plan for less than 12 consecutive months:

• If, in the 90 days before your Effective Date of Coverage, you incurred medical expenses or received care or treatment by a Physician for a disability resulting from the same or a related cause that is being claimed for, you will not be entitled to D&R Benefits UNLESS
  
• In the 90 days after your Effective Date of Coverage, you have not incurred medical expenses or received care or treatment by a Physician for a disability resulting from the same or a related cause that is being claimed for.

Employees who are receiving a weekly sickness benefit on October 1, 2025, will not be eligible for D&R coverage until they return to full hours and duties.

The Disability & Rehabilitation Plan is a long-term disability plan.

If you are away from work due to illness or injury for more than 14 days, your employer will report this to us as a sick leave of absence. When we receive the sick leave of absence report from your employer, we will send you a Disability & Rehabilitation Claim package to complete.

The first 119 days of your sick leave of absence are known as the Elimination Period (think of it as a waiting period). During this period, you may be eligible for sick pay, banked paid time or vacation pay from your Employer, or Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits.

If your claim is approved, you are eligible to receive Disability & Rehabilitation Benefits after the Elimination Period has been completed.