Disability and Absence Services

The need to be better prepared for life events that keep us out of work has become more important than ever before. Disability insurance may help provide a steady stream of income to help cover your bills and expenses when an injury or illness keeps you away from work.

Disability Insurance

Help replace a portion of your income if you cannot work1

If you lost your ability to earn income, how would you pay for your bills and provide for your family? In the event of a disability, you need coverage that's quickly accessible and payments that help you to cover everyday expenses. Enrollment is simple but the benefits are significant.

  • May help replace a portion of your income when you are unable to work due to sickness, pregnancy, chronic condition or accidental injury.
  • Benefit payments are made directly to you and you decide how to spend the money.
  • Helps you meet your day-to-day financial obligations so your long-term goals can stay on track.

Did you know disability insurance and workers’ compensation are not the same thing? Workers’ compensation only applies if you are hurt at work. Disability insurance covers you when you’re unable to work because of illness or injury — whether suffered at work or not.

View Plan Details

Disability Insurance FAQs

Consider any expenses you may incur in the running of your household, including car payments, mortgage payments, groceries, child care, tuition and more, that would still need to be covered in the event of a disability.

Depending upon the amount of coverage you choose, payment will be made directly to you — not your employer, hospital, doctor or insurance company.

Enrolling in a plan is not mandatory, but it is a good idea and an affordable way that may help protect your income. Without disability insurance, you may need to use your savings or tap into other assets to cover your essential living expenses while you recover from an accident or illness.

MetLife offers various ways to submit your claim based on your plan, including online, mail and phone options.

As one of the nation’s leading providers of disability benefits,2 you can count on MetLife to provide you with caring, compassionate and accurate claims service, if and when you experience a disability. 

How much disability insurance should you have?

Find out with our disability insurance calculator

CAlculator

Special Considerations
If you work in a state with state-mandated disability or paid medical leave benefits (“State Benefits”), you should carefully consider whether to enroll for this coverage. In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington (and Connecticut starting 1/1/22, Oregon starting 1/1/23, and Colorado starting 1/1/24), if eligible, you must apply for State Benefits. Your STD benefit will be reduced by State Benefits or other government benefits that apply. Depending on your compensation, the amount of the State Benefit, and other factors, you may only receive the minimum weekly benefit. Please consider, based on your individual circumstances, whether you need additional coverage beyond the State Benefit.

1 Like most disability income insurance policies, MetLife’s policies contain certain exclusions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Ask your MetLife representative about costs and complete details. For policies issued in New York: These policies provide disability income insurance only. They do NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Department of Financial Services. The expected benefit ratio for these policies is at least 50%. This ratio is the portion of future premiums that MetLife expects to return as benefits when averaged over all people with the applicable policy.

2 LIMRA, U.S. Workplace Disability Insurance Sales and In Force Survey, Year-End 2020.