The City of Houston's long-term disability benefit provides eligible employees with a monthly payment to support them during periods of extended illness or injury that impairs their ability to work. For specific details and eligibility criteria, individuals can refer to official city documentation or reach out to the human resources department.
Long-Term Disability
If you are a full-time employee who is NOT a Classified Police Officer, Police Officer Trainee or Elected Official, and you meet the Plan’s eligibility requirements of one year of continuous employment calculated from your most recent hire date, you will be covered under the City of Houston Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plan. Participation in the Plan is restricted to the Employees covered by the Compensable Sick Leave Plan, as established under Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances, Houston, Texas.
Periods of leave without pay, disciplinary suspension periods and other periods of time, exclusive of days on which the employee is not scheduled to work, shall be excluded from the foregoing computation of continuous service, unless otherwise required by law* This plan is paid for by the City in order to protect the income of employees who become disabled.
*An employee shall meet all eligibility requirements and timely provide all proof of total disability, overwise their LTD application would be denied.
If you become permanently and totally disabled, the plan will provide a source of income up to age 65, until death before age 65 or until the disability ends before age 65. There is an elimination period of 180 days after the date of disability during which time benefits are not payable. To qualify for LTD benefits, the plan administrator’s medical director must certify your medical condition as a permanent and total disability. In no event, except in the absence of legal capacity of the Claimant, shall benefits be available for any claim that is filed later than one year from the time the Total Disability commences.
"Total Disability" or "Totally Disabled" shall mean Participant is totally and permanently disabled, if:
- (a) during the Elimination Period and the next six (6) months of a period of total disability, the employee is under the regular care and attendance of a licensed Physician (other than themselves or a member of their immediate family) and is unable to perform the material duties of their Occupational Classification; and
- (b) they are unable to engage in any gainful occupation or employment for which they are or becomes reasonably fitted by education, training or experience.
Steps to Apply for LTD Benefits:
- Contact the Benefits Division’s LTD Team at 832-393-6000 or email at LTD@houstontx.gov if you have been off the job for over three (3) months due to Total Disability.
- Complete a claim form to be filed with the Plan Administrator.
- Plan Administrator will provide you with further proof of loss forms to be completed and returned for claim processing and evaluation for approval or denial.
For a more comprehensive description of plan benefits and how to apply, contact the Benefits Division at 832-393-6000 or email LTD@houstontx.gov.
*If there are any discrepancies between the information in this publication, verbal representations, and the plan documents, the plan documents always govern.
