Disability
What you need to know
Simplot’s disability coverage replaces part of your pay if you are unable to work because of an injury, illness or pregnancy. You’re automatically enrolled in Company-provided Short-Term Disability (STD) and Basic Long-Term Disability (LTD) when first eligible. For additional coverage, you can elect Voluntary LTD coverage when you first enroll. If you decide to enroll later, you’ll need to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI).
Who’s eligible
Most employees are eligible for STD coverage. Most employees are eligible to enroll in LTD coverage, which begins the first of the month following six months of employment.
Short-Term Disability
STD pays you if you’re unable to work due to illness, injury or pregnancy for more than three days. STD is effective the first of the calendar month following your date of hire in an eligible classification. Here’s how it works:
You file a claim.
You must first file an application for a medical leave of absence. This is your application for STD. The Standard will determine your eligibility based on guidelines established by the Company. Be prepared to provide your employer name (J.R. Simplot), group policy number (649728), employee ID number, last day you were at work, reason you’re requesting leave and your physician’s contact information.
You complete an elimination period.
The first three days (known as the elimination period) of STD are unpaid. STD pay starts on day four and can go to a maximum of 26 weeks.
STD pays you (if approved).
STD replaces 60 percent or 100 percent of your base wages, for up to 26 weeks. The Standard determines which amount (60 percent or 100 percent) you are eligible for. This benefit may be reduced by other income sources.
Learn more about STD
Have questions? Read the STD FAQs for answers to common questions.
Long-Term Disability
LTD replaces part of your pay if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury for more than six months. Here’s how it works:
LTD pays you.
Basic LTD coverage replaces 50 percent of your eligible pay, up to $5,000 per month. If you enrolled in Voluntary LTD coverage, you receive 60 percent of your eligible pay, up to $10,000 per month, instead.
Enrolling in Voluntary LTD coverage
You pay for your Voluntary LTD coverage, using after tax dollars. Use the LTD Insurance Rate Calculator to figure out your rate for coverage. To enroll, go to employee.simplot.com and click the Empyrean Benefits Enrollment tile.
If you’re new to Simplot or newly eligible for Voluntary LTD, you are guaranteed coverage if you enroll within 31 days of becoming eligible. Keep in mind that if you don’t enroll within your initial 31-day eligibility window, you will be required to provide EOI in order to enroll in coverage.
It is important to have a beneficiary designated for your Life and AD&D Insurance so your benefits will be paid out according to your wishes in the event of your passing. You can name one person or several people as beneficiaries. You can even name different beneficiaries for your Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage. And you can change your benficiary(ies) at any time through the benefits enrollment system by going to employee.simplot.com and clicking on the Emyprean Benefits Enrollment tile.
Learn more about LTD
Get more details on LTD in the LTD booklet.