Employer Paid Disability

There are three (3) types of Disability coverage available to be provided by employers to employees of churches and institutions in the Diocese of Long Island. Some are mandatory, and others are optional.

Mandatory disability is the New York State Statutory Disability and the New York State Paid Family Leave (NEW in 2018). Most of the time both these benefits are provided through Guardian LifeInsurance Company of America.

There are a few cases where churches are using another insurance company, such as New York Life Insurance, to provide these benefits. Guidelines for these benefits will be the same no matter what company you use as an administrator, but the claim forms provided in this section are specific to Guardian. If you do not use Guardian, please call your provider to obtain the appropriate forms.

Additional information regarding these benefits can be obtained by calling Guardian directly at (888) 278-4542. All churches insured through Guardian have the same six (6) digit policy number of 920630 followed by a four (4) digit suffix specific to each entity.

Voluntary disability coverage for lay employees is Long- and Short-Term Disability provided through Church Life Insurance Company and billed monthly through the Medical Trust along with the medical, dental and life insurance benefits you provide your employees. These benefits are administered through Zurich Insurance. Information on enrolling and processing claims for these benefits can be obtained by calling the Medical Trust directly at (855) 215-5990. Zurich can be reached directly at (800) 206-8826. 

Clergy are provided two similar disability plans free of charge through the Church Pension Fund if they are currently participating in a pension plan.

Please click below for additional information specific to each plan.

New York State Paid Family Leave

2021 Benefit Updates
Paid Family Leave Rider
Claim Forms

New York State Statutory Disability

Processing a Claim - form D8-450

Short- and Long-Term Disability through the Medical Trust

Processing a Claim (coming soon)