5.40 Disability Benefits

IMRF provides two types of disability benefits While receiving IMRF temporary or total and permanent disability benefits, a member earns service credit and has the same death benefit protection as if he or she were working.:

1. Temporary - Paid when a member is unable to perform the duties of any position which might reasonably be assigned by the current IMRF employer A unit of government that joins IMRF..

2. Total and permanent - Paid after temporary disability benefits have expired and if the member is unable to engage in any gainful activity for any employer.

Whenever IMRF awards disability benefits, the initial classification is temporary, regardless of the severity of the disability.

In this section, you'll find information on:

1. Eligibility for IMRF Disability Benefits

2. Amount of IMRF Disability Benefits

3. Application for Disability Benefits

4. Disability Benefit Payment Procedures

5. Cost of IMRF Disability Benefits

6. Income Taxes on Disability Benefits

If the member is participating in the Elected County Official Plan (ECO), eligibility for disability benefits and the amounts payable under the ECO plan differ from disability benefits under the Regular or SLEP plans. Please refer to relevant booklet on ECO.

Check Lists for Authorized Agents

IMRF has developed a Disability Procedure Check List to assist Authorized Agents with a member’s application for IMRF disability benefits.

Disability Benefits Information for Members

IMRF has also developed a Disability Benefits Check List, which is available on the IMRF website, www.imrf.org, to help members through the disability benefit process.