Applying for Income Replacement or Disability Benefits

When unexpected medical events occur, being prepared will help you feel secure that you still have the income you need to continue living comfortably.

UBC’s Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits, offered to eligible employees, protect you when you have a total disability that prevents you from working for an extended period.

AT UBC, the LTD benefits are commonly referred to as Income Replacement Plan (IRP) – used for faculty – and Disability Benefit Plan (DBP) – used for staff. If you need to be away from work for a long period of time due to an illness or disability, you can apply for those benefits. Everyone who meets the eligibility rules is automatically enrolled in the plan.

Here’s what you need to know when applying for IRP/DBP benefits:

1. Review all the steps of the process thoroughly:

The application process takes time and requires detailed information from you, your department and your physician. It is very important that you submit it before the deadline to avoid delays of your benefit payment or even your claim being declined.

The application package includes the following forms:

• Plan Member’s Statement: it provides Sun Life with information about your condition, how it occurred, your general medical history, and your expected sources of income and benefits while you’re on leave.
• Attending Physician’s Statement: it provides Sun Life with specific medical information about your condition and your expected recovery. Your doctor’s statement must provide a diagnosis and prognosis for your condition.
• Plan Sponsor’s Statement: it is completed by your department’s administrator or human resources manager.

All medical and personal information submitted to Sun Life is kept confidential and not shared with UBC.

2. Submit all forms on time:

You are encouraged to apply for IRP/DBP at least eight weeks prior to the end of the elimination period. The elimination or waiting period is the time after the first day you missed work due to a disability and before income benefits from the plan become payable. LTD plans have a six-month elimination period – with the exception of the CUPE 2950 plan, which has a four-month elimination period.

If you submit your application 12 months after your last day worked, Sun Life will decline your LTD claim due to late filing.

3. Provide all the required medical details:

LTD claims are often delayed due to lack of sufficient medical information. This can be avoided by reminding your physician to attach all medical charts, lab work, etc., when completing the Attending Physician’s Statement.

Your case manager at Sun Life will contact you to inform of any missing information that is needed to assess your claim.

For more details on IRP/DBP, please visit UBC’s Workplace Wellbeing & Benefits website. Further information is available by contacting Priscilla Babunga, Disability Claims Associate, at 604-822-8696 or disabilityclaims.info@ubc.ca.