| Illinois is a state that operates a nonoccupational | | | | possible. The time required for processing the |
| disability benefit program out of SERS funds. SERS | | | | application will depend on the time in which you and |
| stands for State Employment Retirement System. | | | | your agency will complete and return the requisite |
| SERS operates a nonoccupational disability benefit | | | | forms to SERS. |
| fund for the benefit of those employed individuals living | | | | You can expect to receive your first disability check |
| in Illinois State who become disabled. | | | | approximately 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of your last |
| The eligibility criteria to obtain these benefits is that you | | | | paycheck. Subsequent checks will be mailed to you on |
| must have completed at least 18 months of service | | | | the 19th of the applicable month. In case that happens |
| with SERS at the time you are removed from the | | | | to be a holiday or a weekend, the check will be mailed |
| payroll because of disability. Additionally, you must have | | | | on the working day preceding that. After you receive |
| already used up all accrued leave available at your | | | | your first check, the Disability Section may contact you |
| disposable. Moreover, a leave of absence on medical | | | | in a bid to obtain any information that was not included |
| grounds must be granted by your agency. | | | | in your original claim application. |
| You will start receiving nonoccupational disability | | | | Every July and January, you may expect to receive a |
| benefits either 31 days after your absence from your | | | | new medical form from SERS that your physician |
| workplace or alternatively the day you were paid your | | | | needs to fill up and send back to SERS, based on |
| last salary, whichever occurs last. If your application for | | | | your physical examination by him. The exam is not |
| nonoccupational disability benefits is not received within | | | | required if you have already had it conducted by your |
| a period of ninety days from the date of removal from | | | | physician in the last two months. You also will receive |
| payroll, the said benefits will begin on the date of | | | | with the medical form an updated Release of |
| receipt of your application. | | | | Information Authorization form. |
| If you are in receipt of any other Social Security | | | | You will also additionally receive another form. It is |
| Administration (SSA) benefits, you need to inform | | | | certification to the effect that you have not received |
| about them to SERS. This is because if you are more | | | | more than the applicable monthly gainful employment |
| than 65 years old, your nonoccupational disability | | | | limiting amount while you are in receipt of the grant |
| benefit amount will be reduced by the amount which | | | | from the SERS nonoccupational disability benefit fund. |
| you get as the Social Security pension benefit. | | | | In case you are earning more than more than the |
| The SERS Disability section will help you with the | | | | limiting amount, your disability benefit will be terminated. |
| process of how to apply for the claim and in the | | | | Moreover, you will need to repay the extra amount |
| completion of your claim application The section | | | | back to SERS. |
| authorities will process your application as early as | | | | |