Disability Benefits

Disability Benefits

Overview

As a member of the CalSTRS Defined Benefit Program, you have disability protection under one of the CalSTRS disability benefit programs:

  • Coverage A: Disability Allowance
  • Coverage B: Disability Retirement

Find your coverage on your Retirement Progress Report.

For detailed information about your disability benefits and the application process, see the following publications:

For accessible versions of files on this page, contact ADACoordinator@CalSTRS.com.

General Information

Coverage A or Coverage B

If you became a member before October 16, 1992, and did not elect Coverage B before April 1993, you have Coverage A.

If you became a member of CalSTRS on or after October 16, 1992, you have Coverage B.

General Information

Eligibility

You may be eligible for a disability benefit if you meet the eligibility requirements, including age, service credit and timeliness for application and medical documentation, as well as other factors.

Post

Applying for a Disability Benefit

You should apply for a disability benefit before you exhaust other benefits available to you. If approved, your disability benefit will go into effect on whichever of the following dates occurs later:

  • The first day of the month in which we receive your application.
  • The day after your last day of compensation, including sick leave and subdifferential pay.

We encourage you to apply while you are working or receiving sick leave or differential pay from your employer so that you have income while your application is pending. If you are no longer working, contact us for information on filing timelines.

Don’t delay submitting your application while waiting for your medical documents. You may submit medical documents after we receive your application.

Post

Health Benefits and Disability

CalSTRS does not provide health, dental or vision insurance to members, including those receiving a disability benefit.

Contact your employer directly because health benefits vary from employer to employer.

If you have questions please contact us.