Open enrollment for the BLET Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan coverage

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 22 — There are less than two weeks left in the open enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan underwritten by Sun Life Financial. The open enrollment will end on May 31, 2019 and those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on June 1, 2019.

If you are a locomotive engineer working on a participating railroad, your BLET Short Term Disability Base-Plan coverage will automatically continue, if you continue to meet eligibility requirements (see below). Those who are eligible for the Base-Plan may enroll in the Enhanced-Plan.

The next opportunity to enroll in the Enhanced-Plan coverage will not be until January of 2020.

Enhanced-Plan Voluntary Coverage 

This option gives participants an additional $102 weekly benefit on top of the $300 Base-Plan benefit. Enhanced-Plan coverage is voluntary and participation in this additional coverage is not required. 

Benefits and coverage are as follows:

• Pays a $402 weekly benefit ($1,742 per month).
• Starts paying on day 22 from the date of disability and pays for up to 52 weeks.
• 24-hour on and off-the-job coverage.
• The monthly premium is $20.00. 
o Premiums are paid through an automatic direct debit from your checking or savings account on the 15th of each month.
• If your disability results in a FELA related settlement/judgement, you will not have to pay back any benefits received under this plan.

Important:

Your initial and continued eligibility for the Enhanced-Plan coverage remains dependent on your eligibility for the Base-Plan. In order to be eligible for the Base-Plan, you must maintain seven (7) starts in each month with one (1) start as an engineer. If you do not meet these minimum eligibility requirements, you have the option to pay the Base-Plan premium of $40 in addition to the $20 Enhanced-Plan premium, to prevent a loss of both coverages. 

If you are currently enrolled in the BLET’s Short-Term Disability Enhanced-Plan (previously “Part B On-The-Job Coverage”), no action is required for coverage to continue.

How to Get Enrolled in the Enhanced-Plan

Enrollment options include:

• Online, by visiting: https://uniondisability.com/groups/blet-short-term-disability-sun-life/

• Over the phone, by calling the Cornerstone office at 224.848.4941

The open enrollment will end on May 31, 2019 and coverage will become effective on June 1, 2019. 

Filing a BLET Short Term Disability Claim

To file a disability claim through Sun Life, please call 224.848.4941 and a Cornerstone Claims Advocate will assist you with the process. 

For all questions regarding the BLET Short Term Disability, please contact the Cornerstone office at (224) 848.4941.

Note: The participating railroads are: Belt Railway of Chicago; Conrail Shared Assets; CSX Transportation, including Bombardier Transportation Services (who took over CSXT-operated MARC commuter service); Canadian Pacific–D&H; Canadian Pacific–Soo Line; Kansas City Southern; Longview Switching; Metra; Portland Terminal; Terminal Railway – Alabama State Docks; and Union Pacific.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019
bentley@ble-t.org