Texas has over 200,000 state employees. In addition to that number, institutions of higher learning employ over 120,000 full time workers. Each and every one of those employees is eligible to participate in a group disability plan. Disability benefits are offered under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). The plan is intended to provide employees with replacement income when they are unable to work as a result of a total disability, as defined in the plan. It offers benefits for both Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD).
To participate in the plan, you must enroll in the plan and pay premiums to ERS. Your premium depends on your monthly wage. Disability benefit coverage begins on the first day you are actively at work as long as you enroll on or before the first day of work. If you wait, but enroll within 31 days of your first day at work, coverage begins on the first day of the month after you enroll.
If you are considering employment with the State of Texas or with an institution of higher learning, Bemis, Roach & Reed strongly advises that you take advantage of the disability insurance benefit offered by ERS at the outset. An applicant or an employee who fails to enroll within 31 days of his first day of work will not be offered disability insurance unless he can provide Evidence of Insurability. The applicant will pay all expenses related to obtaining Evidence of Insurability and there is no guarantee that you will be approved. If the employee is approved at this stage, coverage begins the first day of the month following approval.
Dearborn National (Fort Dearborn Life Insurance) is the third party administrator for ERS disability benefits in Texas. If you are a State of Texas Employee or an employee of a Texas institution of higher learning and have been denied disability benefits, contact Bemis, Roach & Reed to assist you with your claim.