Open Enrollment for the BLET Short Term Disability On-The-Job (Part B) Coverage
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, July 16 — Open Enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability On-The-Job (Part B) insurance has started and will end on July 31, 2018. Those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on August 1, 2018.
If you are a locomotive engineer working on a participating railroad your Off-The-Job (Part A) coverage of the BLET Short Term Disability Plan will automatically continue based on continuing eligibility. Those who are eligible for Part A may enroll in Part B.
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); CP–D&H; CP–Soo Line; KCS and its U.S. subsidiaries (including conductors and trainmen on Tex Mex); Longview Switching; Metra; Portland Terminal; Terminal Railway – Alabama State Docks; and Union Pacific.
On-The-Job (Part B) Voluntary Coverage— Occupational Disabilities
On-The-Job coverage is voluntary. Participation in this additional occupational coverage is not required.
Benefits and coverage are as follows:
• Benefits are $375 per week for non-occupational disabilities, for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
• There is a 14-day waiting period before benefits are paid.
• The monthly premium is $20.00. Premiums are paid through an automatic direct debit from your checking or savings account on the 15th of each month.
• Benefits are not subject to repayment upon receipt of a FELA settlement or any other personal injury settlement.
• Part B benefits are not considered taxable as ordinary income.
Important:
Your initial and continued eligibility for the On-The-Job (Part B) coverage remains dependent on your eligibility for Part A. In order to be eligible for Part A, you must maintain seven (7) starts in each month with one (1) start as an engineer in order to be covered in the following month.
If you are currently enrolled in and are paying for the On-The-Job (Part B) coverage, no action is required for coverage to continue.
How to Get Enrolled in the On-The-Job Coverage (Part B)
Enrollment options include:
• Online, by visiting: uniondisability.com/groups/blet-short-term-disability-metlife-a-b/
• Over the phone by calling the Cornerstone office at (224) 848-4941
The open enrollment will end on July 31, 2018 and coverage will become effective on August 1, 2018.
Off-The-Job Coverage (Part A) — Non- Occupational Disabilities
Benefits and coverage are as follows:
• Your work history from the previous month determines your eligibility. You must have a minimum of seven (7) starts in the month, at least one (1) as an engineer.
• The railroad carrier pays the premium each month for Part A based on the eligibility.
• Benefits are $375 per week for non-occupational disabilities, for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
• There is a 14-day waiting period before benefits are paid.
• Part A benefits are taxable as ordinary income – you will receive a W-2 from MetLife.
Filing a BLET Short Term Disability Claim
To file a Part A or B claim through MetLife, 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.