Frequently Asked Questions: Active Clergy Benefit
Short-Term Disability Insurance
For active clergy benefit:
Who is eligible?
How are clergy enrolled in this benefit?
How is disability defined?
Is a medical examination required for enrollment?
Who pays for the benefit?
When do benefit payments begin?
When should a claim be filed?
What is the weekly benefit amount?
For how long is the benefit paid?
Who receives the disability benefit payment?
What if the cleric can work part-time?
What if the disability is expected to be total and continuing?
How do we file a claim?
How is the claim reviewed?
How long before a claim is reviewed or denied?
For how long is a claim approved?
Who can we call with questions?
For further details, download "A Guide to the Short-Term Disability Benefit" from our publications section.
Who is eligible?
Active participants in the Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan who are actively working or temporarily between cures, are current in their pension assessments and are canonically resident in the United States.
How are clergy enrolled in this benefit?
Clergy are automatically enrolled if they meet the eligibility definition. No paperwork is required. New clergy are covered as soon as we received the first pension assessment.
How is disability defined?
You may submit a claim if, for 30 days or more:
- The cleric is ill or injured and unable to work, or
- Illness or injury so limits the cleric's ability to work that he or she loses 20% to 80% of weekly earnings.
Is a medical examination required for enrollment?
No. Clergy are enrolled without medical questions or evidence of insurability.
Who pays for the benefit?
The Church Pension Fund.
When do benefit payments begin?
Benefits begin after 30 consecutive days of total or partial disability.
When should we file a claim?
As soon as the cleric cannot perform his or her duties. You or the cleric may file a claim within the first 30 days, before benefits take effect, but you must do so within a reasonable time in order to receive a benefit.
What is the weekly benefit amount?
The benefit is equal to 70% of total compensation as reported to the Church Pension Fund, up to $1,000 per week.
For how long is the benefit paid?
Payments may continue for up to 52 weeks. The coverage ends:
- if pension assessments become six or more months in arrears,
- if the cleric begins receiving retirement benefits under the Clergy Pension Plan,
- when he or she is no longer disabled, or
- when the plan is terminated.
Who receives the disability benefit payment?
The church employer receives the payment. Employers are required to continue paying the cleric's full compensation and pension assessments throughout the disability period. Clergy paying pension assessments on their own as a result of working part-time, extra church ministry or the between cures provision receive the disability payment directly. If a portion of the assessment is also paid by the employer, the disability payment is paid to both the employer and cleric based on the proportion of the assessments each pays. If the church employer terminates the employee's position on or after the date of disability, the payment is made directly to the employee.
What if the cleric can work part-time?
A partial benefit may be paid if a cleric works less than 80% of normal hours. If he or she works 20% or less, the full benefit is still paid.
What if the disability is expected to be total and continuing?
Disability retirement through the Clergy Pension Plan may be appropriate. The benefit under the pension plan will be at least equal to the Short-Term Disability benefit for the remainder of the 52 weeks.
How do we file a claim?
As soon as disability begins, request a claim form by calling us at
866-802-6333 weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
How is the claim reviewed?
CPG sends the claim form to Unum Provident, the disability carrier, who approves or denies the claim. The cleric is contacted by a Disability Benefits Specialist at Unum Providence, trained in the specific type of disability, who evaluates and handles the case. This specialist is supported by Unum's physicians, nurses, case managers and vocational rehabilitation consultants. When appropriate, these professionals are in touch with employers and doctors, review medical and other claim information, and offer to help in the cleric's recovery and return to work. CPG may require that the determination of disability be made by a qualified physician chosen and paid for by CPG.
How long before a claim is approved or denied?
In some cases, such as routine surgery or maternity leave, benefits may be approved almost immediately. If the condition is more complicated, additional medical information may be required. Depending on how quickly Unum receives this information, benefits determination may take longer. If this is the case, the cleric will receive a written update on the status of the claim at least every 30 days until the claim is decided. back to top
For how long is a claim approved?
Depending on the disability, Unum Provident will periodically ask for more information to help continually evaluate the claim.
Who can we call with questions?
The Disability Benefit Specialist who handles the case provides a toll-free number you and the cleric can use whenever you have questions or concerns about the case. You may also call Pension Services at (866) 802-6333 weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or e-mail us with your questions.
This document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as investment, tax or other advice. In the event of a conflict between this document and the official plan documents, the official plan documents will govern. The Church Pension Fund and its affiliates retain the right to amend, terminate or modify the terms of any benefit plans described in this document at any time, without notice and for any reason.