|
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. |
Denial due to administrative requirements
If IMRF denies your disability benefits claim because you don’t meet the administrative requirements (for example, if you have less than 12 consecutive months of IMRF service credit), we will send you an administrative denial letter.
What if I disagree with IMRF’s decision?
If you do not agree with this decision, you have 30 days to respond. The administrative denial letter will detail your next steps.
Denial due to medical condition
If IMRF denies or terminates your disability benefits based on your medical condition, IMRF will send you an extent of disability denial letter. If you do not agree with this decision, you can request a hearing before the IMRF Board of Trustees Benefit Review Committee.
IMRF must receive a completed "Request for a Hearing" form within 63 days of the date of your denial letter. The form and additional information about the appeal process will be included with your letter.
Where are the hearings held?
The hearings are held in the IMRF Oak Brook offices. You can:
- Come to your hearing in person, with or without your attorney
- Have a representative or attorney attend for you
- Request a video conference from our Springfield office
- Request a telephone conference at your request
- Present a written appeal without attending in person
After your hearing, the Benefit Review Committee will make a recommendation to the full IMRF Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will make the final decision and IMRF will take no further action. IMRF’s benefits manager will let you know in writing, and if applicable, your designated representative.
What if I disagree with IMRF’s decision?
If you disagree with this final decision, you can file an action for Administrative Review in the appropriate Circuit Court. You must file this action within 35 days of the date of the notice of the Board’s decision.
To learn more about the appeals process, click here.