Connecticut teachers do not pay into Social Security. If they become disabled, often their only source of income is a teachers’ disability allowance. This disability allowance can either be service-connected or non service-connected. A nonservice connected disability requires at least five years of service in the public schools. The Teachers’ Retirement Board (TRB) administers this benefit. Zimberlin Law LLC represents teachers in front of the TRB. Teachers hurt on the job may also be eligible for worker’s comp. Some teachers may also have a long-term disability (LTD) insurance policy through their employer. Neither of those benefits replaces a disability allowance from the TRB. The TRB benefit is a lifeline for teachers who can no longer work. Worker’s comp only covers work related injuries and LTD benefits generally end at age 65.
A disabled teacher should not ignore the right to file for a TRB disability benefit even if that teacher is currently receiving workers’ comp or LTD benefits. Failing to file for TRB benefits as soon as possible can have dire financial consequences for the disabled teacher. Waiting to file while receiving other benefits can mean that a teacher will not be eligible for a TRB benefit.
In 2022, the Connecticut legislature, for the first time, enacted a deadline in which to file for a disability allowance. Now, once a teacher loses status as an “active member” of the teachers’ retirement system, the clock starts ticking, and that teacher will soon lose the right to collect a disability allowance. It is imperative that a teacher file for a benefit as soon as he or she thinks they might not be able to return to work. Previously, a teacher could wait to see if he or she was able to recover.
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