When Disability Coverage Begins and Ends

When Coverage Begins

Your short-term disability (STD) coverage begins on your first day of active employment as a regular, full-time employee. Part-time and temporary employees are not eligible for STD.
Your long-term disability (LTD) coverage begins on the first day of the month after you have completed 12 months of full-time continuous service with DallasNews Corporation. If you are already on a disability leave, your coverage will begin on the first day you return to work as a regular, full-time employee.

Pre-existing Conditions Apply to LTD

The LTD Plan has a pre-existing condition restriction that applies to the first 12 months of plan coverage. You will not receive LTD benefits for a disability that is related to an injury or illness that you had during the three-month period before becoming covered and for which you:
Received medical treatment, consultation, care or services including diagnostic tests, or
Took prescription drugs or medicines.

When Coverage Ends

Generally, disability coverage ends when you:
No longer meet the eligibility requirements described in Eligibility and Participation section (see Who Is Eligible)
Terminate employment with DallasNews Corporation (effective on your last day of active employment)
Cancel or drop coverage
Stop making any required payments for coverage
Die
Coverage also ends if the plan is terminated, your employer stops participating in the plan or the plan is amended to terminate coverage for a group or class of individuals that includes you.
If you are on an approved leave of absence, you may continue coverage for the period of time outlined in the Benefits While on Leave of Absence chart.

LTD Conversion Privilege

When you terminate your employment with DallasNews Corporation, you may obtain individual LTD coverage without providing proof of good health if you were covered by the LTD Plan for 12 consecutive months before terminating employment.
You must apply for conversion coverage and pay the first quarterly premium within 31 days after your coverage terminates under the LTD Plan. The conversion privilege is not available to you if your LTD coverage terminates because of the following:
The LTD Plan terminates
You retire
You become covered under another employer’s LTD plan within 31 days after your termination from DallasNews Corporation
You become disabled under the LTD Plan
You recover from a disability and do not return to work for DallasNews Corporation
You are on a leave of absence