Applying for Disability Benefits

for Original ECO Plan Members
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Disability Benefits Under the ECO Plan

If you are eligible for disability benefits, you might have the choice to receive benefits under the Regular/SLEP plan or under the ECO plan. To read about the differences in Disability benefits under the ECO plan, click here.

If you're thinking of resigning your position, contact IMRF or you may not be eligible for disability!

How to apply

If you will be disabled for more than 30 consecutive days, you should apply for disability benefits, unless your employer will pay you for your entire disability period. We recommend you apply online through your Member Access account:

You can also apply with a paper "Member's Application for Disability Benefits" form.

Timing is important!

Your Surgery is scheduled for August 1.
Do you apply for IMRF disability?
Time off from work Should you apply?
You return to work on August 28.
  • No, do not apply for disability benefits.
  • You have not been disabled for more than 30 consecutive days.
You will be off from work for six weeks.
  • Yes, apply for disability benefits the first day you are disabled—on August 1.
  • Do not apply in advance, even though you know you will be disabled for more than 30 days.
  • The disability effective date will be August 31—30 days after the date of disability.
You will be off from work for three months, and your employer pays you for the first 60 days.
  • Yes, apply for disability benefits the first day you are disabled (August 1) because you know you will be disabled beyond the last day your employer pays you compensation.
  • The disability effective date will be September 30—60 days after the first day you are disabled because you are being paid.

Forms and documents IMRF will need

We require several forms and documents to process your claim.

If you are completing the disability application for a member

If a member is unable to complete the disability application, a relative or other representative can complete it on the member’s behalf.

If you are the member’s representative, you would sign the forms on the member’s behalf, e.g., Mary Smith for John Smith. If the benefit is approved, IMRF will mail you a representative payee form for you and the member’s attending physician to complete.