Long Term Disability (LTD) Benefit Programs

County of Sonoma employees may be eligible for one of the two (2) separate insured Long Term Disability Benefit (LTD) plans. 

• Plan A: Standard Long Term Disability Benefit Plan
• Plan B: Peace Officers Research Association (PORAC) Long Term Disability Benefit Plan

This is a purchased employer-paid Long Term Disability Benefit plan through the Standard Insurance Company. Click here to file an LTD claim, or see Frequently Asked Questions

This plan covers all permanent County employees who are regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 32 hours per pay period (.4 FTE) with an exception of employees who are covered by Plan B.

Benefit coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following your date of initial eligibility (date of hire or permanent status appointment). The benefit waiting period is sixty (60) calendar days of disability and the benefit rate is sixty-six and two-thirds (66-2/3 %) of the covered wages up to the monthly maximum benefit of ten-thousand dollars ($10,000). The benefits cannot be supplemented with any paid leave hours, such as sick leave, donated amounts, vacation, compensatory time, and other forms of salary continuation. The benefit payments are paid each month by Standard Insurance Company.

This plan includes a mandatory return to work provision in accordance with the County’s Temporary Transitional Duty Policy

The cost of the LTD Program will be paid by the County while the employee is covered by the plan; therefore, the benefits are subject to appropriate income taxes, including Social Security tax.

Hard copies of the Certificate and Summary Plan Description and the Answers to your questions brochure can be requested through the employee’s departmental payroll clerk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Filing A Long Term Disability Claim

When Should I Report A Claim? 
Report a claim as soon as you believe you will be absent from work the longer of (a) 60 calendar days, or (b) the period you elect to receive paid leave. If you are uncertain about how long you will be absent or whether you should file a claim or not, we suggest that you file your claim. This offers you some peace of mind and allows for The Standard tp begin its review and issue a timely payment if appropriate.

How Do I File A Claim?
To file a claim by telephone, contact The Standard's Claim Intake Service Center at 855.757.4713.

To file a claim online, go to www.standard.com and scroll to the bottom of the pafe and click on "File a Claim or Request a Leave" to begin. Instructions will be provided through the entire claim submissions process. Note: if you submit your claim online, the claim submission system will indicate a requirement for a Disability Insurance Employer's Statement to be received before a decision may be made on your claim. Although this is a requirement, you do not need to take this to your employer. Upon receip of your Employee Statement, The Standard will reach out to your employer to obtain the necessary information needed for your claim. 

To file a paperclaim, go to www.standard.com, and scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Find a Form" and select Long Term Disability Claim Packet (All States Except NY). The form can be downloaded, completed and printed. Completed forms can be mails or faxed to The Standard using the contact information at the top of the claim packet. 

A typical application for disability benefits contains the following documents:
- Employee's Statement
- Employer's Statement
- Attending Physician's Statement (APS)
- Authorization to Obtain and Release Information 

Employee Booklet 
(PDF: 6 MB)
Policy Certificate 
(PDF: 811 kB)

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This is a purchased employee-paid Long Term Disability Benefit plan through the Insurance and Benefits Trust of Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). Participation is mandatory and premiums are paid through a payroll deduction.

This plan covers permanent County employees who are represented by the following bargaining groups and are regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 30 hours per week (.75 FTE):

• Corrections and Probation Non-supervisory (30: SCLEA)
• Law Enforcement Non-supervisory (40: SCLEA)
• Law Enforcement Supervisory (41: SCLEA)
• Law Enforcement Management (43: DSLEM)
• Sonoma County Law Enforcement Managers’ Association (44: SCLEMA)
• Deputy Sheriff Non-supervisory (46: DSA)
• Deputy Sheriff Supervisory (47: DSA)
• Corrections and Probation Supervisory (70: SCLEA)

Sick leave accruals may be used to supplement the benefits accordingly to the plan provision.

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