Your financial responsibilities continue even if you are unable to work because of illness or injury. Disability benefits provide income so you can focus on getting better.

Here are some steps you may take:

• Be sure to call MMBB for help in determining if you are eligible for disability benefits. If you serve a church, work with the congregation to ensure that your good work continues while you work to get better.
  
  
• If your disability is job-related, be sure to contact your state workers' compensation board to apply for workers' compensation benefits.
  
  
• Contact the Social Security Administration to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
  
  
• If you are a member of the Benefits for Life Program (formerly the Retirement/Death Benefit Plans), while you are eligible for disability benefits as defined by the plan, the plan:
  
  
  • Will replace a percentage of your pre-disability compensation
    
    
  • Will increase your disability benefits each year in which there is an increase in the average compensation of ordained plan members
    
    
  • Will provide a monthly child's benefit for eligible children up to age 21
    
    
  • Will continue Retirement Plan contributions and your group term life insurance coverage
    
    
  • May continue employer-paid health insurance in effect when you became disabled
    
    
  • Makes part of life insurance benefits available immediately to a terminally ill member
    
  
  
• If you anticipate having medical care such as elective surgery or a planned hospital stay, be sure to obtain advance authorization if your medical plan requires it.
  
  
• Think about what child care arrangements you need during your disability.
  
  
• If it looks like you may need ongoing care, you and your doctor may want to explore alternatives to an extensive hospital stay, including an extended care or nursing facility, home health care or hospice care. If you have long-term care insurance, check to see if you are eligible for these benefits.
  
  
• If you participate in a health care flexible spending account or a dependent care flexible spending account, check to see how your disability affects your ongoing contributions. Be sure to file any eligible claims you and your family incurred before your disability date.
  
  
• Depending on how long your disability lasts, you may need to provide continuing proof of disability from time to time.
  
  
• Be sure to make arrangements to pay any insurance premiums, such as for life and long-term care insurance, so your policies don't lapse.
  
  
• If you work for an employer subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (generally FMLA applies to employers with more than 50 employees) you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within 12 months. Check with your employer to see what advance notice is required for your leave.
  
  
• Contact your employer to provide:
  
  
  • Your address (if it will change during your disability)
    
    
  • Your tax withholding if you need to change it
    
  
  
• Speak to your lawyer if you need to create or change your will or other legal documents. You may want to consider a power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and a living will, so your affairs can be handled as you wish, even if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. If you are supportive of organ or tissue donation, you may wish to complete a donation form and make this known to friends and family as well.
  
  
• The Tools section can help you model the effect your disability could have on your future savings needs.
  
  
• Be aware of the maximum age limits for receiving disability benefits.
  
  
• In times of change, be sure to take care of yourself. Watch your nutrition and exercise, and get help when you need it.
  
  
• After you have reached age 65 or if you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for two years, you may be eligible for Medicare.
  
  
• When you return to work, notify your employer and MMBB. Also, make your employer aware of any accommodations you may need based on your condition.