Disability benefits are temporary cash benefits paid to an eligible wage earner when he/she is disabled by an OFF THE JOB injury or illness.  The Disability Benefits Law provides weekly cash benefits to replace, in part, wages lost due to injures or illness that do not arise out of or in the course of employment.  Benefits are paid for a maximum of 26 weeks of disability during 52 consecutive weeks.  For employed workers, there is a 7-day waiting period for which no benefits are paid.  Benefits rights begin on the eighth consecutive day of disability.  Cash benefits are 50 percent of a claimant's average weekly wage, but no more than the maximum benefit allowed, currently $170.00 per week.  It is the responsibility of the employer to supply the employee a Disability Insurance Claim form (DB-450) within five days of learning that the worker is disabled. DB-450 forms are available through the Employee Benefits Office or online at www.wcb.state.ny.us.

Disability Claim forms (DB-450) should be mailed to the Diocesan Third Party Administrator:

                                  R.F. Toole Associates LTD.
                                  PO Box 426
                                  East Syracuse, NY  13057  

R.F. Toole is also available to answer claim related questions and/or concerns.
They can reached at (315) 432-9927.

Please be advised that all full-time and part-time employees are eligible for disability insurance coverage after four consecutive weeks of employment.  An employee is eligible for disability benefits if he/she is working, or has has recently worked, for a covered employer for at least four consecutive weeks of full time employment or 25 days in part-time employment.

For billing purposes, an employee will enter the plan the first day of the month following four weeks of continuous employment.

All employees are covered except the following:

• Daytime students in elementary or secondary school who work part-time during the school year or their regular vacation period.
• Independent Contractors.
• Employees during the first 45 days of "extra employment."  Extra employment concerns those workers not normally in the labor market who may be hired in the regular and usual course of business to do work for a limited period of time.
• Employees in "casual employment."  This means an employee who normally works in a different occupation, who may be hired for a day or less.
• Members of the clergy or religious orders.

R.F. Toole Associates, LTD.  mails monthly disability invoices to our diocesan employers each month. Payments are due to the diocesan lockbox no later than the 15th of the month. A copy of the invoice and payment should be sent to:                          

                                  Diocese of Ogdensburg - Disability Insurance
                                  PO Box 106
                                  Canajoharie, NY  13317

Employers are requested to pay the disability insurance invoices as billed.  Please do not pay an amount other than the billed amount.  Any changes (i.e. terminations and additions) will appear on subsequent invoices provided the Human Resources Office has been notified.  Separation and enrollment forms should be sent to the Human Resources Office in a timely manner to ensure the accuracy of invoices.  There is a three month limit on retro-active adjustments.