Short-Term Disability Insurance

Short-term disability insurance helps protect your income by replacing a portion of your pay if you are temporarily unable to work because of a covered illness or injury.

Special Enrollment Period: July 1-July 31, 2026

In partnership with Colonial Life, the state of Connecticut is pleased to announce a special, one-time open enrollment opportunity for Short Term Disability insurance coverage. During the July 1–31, 2026 special enrollment period:

Eligible employees can enroll with guaranteed coverage of up to 60% of their salary, to a maximum monthly disability benefit of $4,000.
No medical questions are required for guaranteed coverage.
Higher coverage amounts may be available after completing medical questions.
The standard Group Disability 12-month pre-existing condition provision will be waived for employees who enroll during this special enrollment period.

After July 31, standard enrollment rules apply.

Eligibility

State employees are eligible to enroll on their first day of employment, provided they work at least 17.5 hours per week and meet the issue-age requirements of 17-74 years of age.

Guaranteed Coverage

New Employees

New benefit-eligible employees who enroll during their first 365 days of employment can obtain guaranteed coverage of up to 60% of their salary, to a maximum of $4,000 in monthly disability benefits. This means you will not be required to provide proof of good health or answer medical questions to be eligible for the guaranteed coverage amount.
Additionally, the standard Group Disability 12-month pre-existing condition provision is waived for new employees who enroll during their first 365 days of employment.

Employees enrolling after their first 365 days

Benefit-eligible employees who enroll in Group Short-Term Disability after their initial 365 days of employment may still enroll; however, guaranteed coverage is limited to up to 60% of their salary, with a maximum monthly disability benefit of $500, and the standard Group Disability 12-month pre-existing condition provision applies.
Employees may apply for coverage of up to 60% of their salary, with a maximum monthly disability benefit of $6,500, at any time by completing medical questions. The standard Group Disability 12-month pre-existing condition provision applies.

How to Enroll

Meet with a Colonial Life benefits counselor to learn more about Short-Term Disability coverage, ask questions, and enroll.

During the July 1–31, 2026 special enrollment period, Colonial Life benefits counselors will be onsite at select agencies to answer questions and assist with enrollment. If onsite enrollment is available at your agency, your agency contact will provide the schedule.

To request your brief appointment, you can:

Call 833-703-1967, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You will be prompted to enter employer code 1357722.
Email ColonialHR@Colcapitol.com
Visit the State of Connecticut/Colonial Life Disability Benefits website at https://learn.coloniallife.com/State-of-CT/p/1 and select the “Learn More and Enroll with a Benefits Counselor” tab.

The premiums are conveniently payroll deducted from your paycheck. Before your enrollment appointment, have a copy of your paystub ready. You will need your employee ID number and job record number to complete your enrollment.

Colonial Life Website Disability Benefits Overview Short-term Disability Benefits Booklet

Need Help?

For questions or help choosing benefits or enrolling, 833-703-1967, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. and use employer code 1357722.
For questions about eligibility, enrollment, payroll deductions, or State of Connecticut supplemental benefits, contact the Office of the State Comptroller Supplemental Benefits: osc.supplemental-benefits@ct.gov.

Note: Lincoln National Policies are terminating 7/31/2024. The last payroll deduction will be 7/26/2024.

Anyone currently receiving a disability claim benefit from Lincoln will continue to do so without interruption. Interested employees may now enroll in a short-term disability benefit with Colonial Life, which will accept all participants without medical review. Colonial Life is offering a credit for time insured to all current Lincoln participants, waiving any normally required waiting periods or pre-existing condition clauses.

For more information, please contact osc.supplemental-benefits@ct.gov.