You are considered disabled based on the terms of your own individual policy and/or your employer's plan. Some policies and plans consider you disabled when you're unable to perform the duties of your regular occupation (usual occupation in CA), while others pay only if you're unable to perform in any job suitable for you based on your training, education and experience. Some policies and plans may use a(n) “regular occupation (usual occupation in CA)” definition for a period of time (e.g., two or three years), after which an “any-occupation” definition is applied. Other policies and plans require that you not be gainfully employed while you're collecting benefits or that you’re unable to earn a certain percentage of your pre-disability income because of injury or sickness.

There are policies and plans that will pay you a portion of your total disability monthly benefit amount if you’ve lost a part of your income due to a disability—this type of feature is usually referred to as a “residual” or “partial disability benefit." Additionally, some policies and plans may include a rehabilitation benefit that pays some or all of the cost of occupational rehabilitation approved by the insurer while other plans may include a rehabilitation provision that requires you to take part in an occupational rehabilitation program in order to continue to receive benefits.

Keep in mind that many policies and plans have exclusions and limitations and may not cover disabilities caused by suicide attempts, war, or attempts to commit a crime. Some plans and policies will limit the maximum benefit period for disabilities caused by mental disorders and substance use disorders. Supplemental disability policies have no pre-existing condition limitations.

Benefits will begin to accrue after the end of the waiting period. With most plans, the elimination period, which is a pre-determined waiting period. of the DIGI policy will mirror the elimination period of your existing group LTD plan. Most individual disability policies and group long term disability plans have a elimination period (e.g., 90 days or 180 days), which is the amount of time you must meet the definition of disability before benefits begin to accrue.

Most plans offer a maximum benefit period of two years, five years, to age 65, and to age 67.

STD and LTD are most often employer-funded disability policies that cover a percentage of your income should you become disabled. STD benefits are the first to be activated once you are disabled. If your disability continues, you will activate LTD benefits. DIGI is an additional layer of income protection above LTD coverage.

This policy is portable, which means that if you leave the company for any reason, you have the option to take this coverage with you. As long as you continue to pay the premium your benefit amount and discount will not change.

Call 1-800-929-1492. You’ll need written proof of your disability to file a claim. Medical records from your doctors concerning the details of your disability may be required.  Your benefits will begin accumulating after you’ve been disabled for the predetermined elimination period. If you return to work before the waiting period is over, you most likely will not be eligible for benefits. Note that the premiums for your disability policy are usually waived during your disability. 

If you have other individual disability coverage, we will reduce the benefit amount we will issue by the amount of coverage you already have.

You can cancel DIGI coverage at any time by calling MetLife’s customer service number and requesting the policy be cancelled. You can also ask your HR department to remove you from the plan.

The ultimate goal is to get you healthy and back to work, if that is a possibility after your disability. If 100% of your earnings were replaced, there would be little incentive for rehabilitation and your return to work.

Our financial strength ratings are among the highest in the industry. MetLife has over 145 years of insurance industry experience. MetLife has offered DIGI over 90 years. Over 90 of the top 100 Fortune 500 Companies choose to do business with MetLife.

Noncancelable means that MetLife cannot change the policy provisions or premium rates, as long as premiums are paid on time. (Please note that the Omni Select contract is both Noncancelable and Guaranteed Renewable.  The Omni Essential Contract is Guaranteed Renewable only)

Guaranteed renewable means that if premiums are paid on time, MetLife cannot change your policy provisions, but it reserves the right to change premium rates, but only if done on a class basis. (Please note that the Omni Select contract is both Noncancelable and Guaranteed Renewable.  The Omni Essential Contract is Guaranteed Renewable only)