Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)

What is TDI?

According to the State of Hawaii, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, "TDI is a wage-replacement program. This means if you are unable to work because of an off-the-job sickness or injury and you meet the qualifying conditions of the law, you will be paid disability or sick leave benefits to partially replace the wages you lost. TDI does not include medical care.

Purpose (Section 392-2):

" . . .To provide benefits to individuals in current employment that will afford them reasonable compensation for wage loss caused by disabling non-occupational sickness or accident . . ."

What are the eligibilty requirement?

Employed for at least 14 weeks.

Worked 20+ hours/wk

Earned not less than $400 in "fifty-two weeks".

Illness/injury is not work related.

Illness/injury prevents you from performing your regular job.

The disability is certified by a licensed physician.

How soon should you file your claim?

You are required to file your claim within 90 days from the date you were disabled. If you file after 90 days, you could lose a portion of your benefits. If you file your claim 26 weeks or more after your disability, you will not be entitled to any benefits.

Procedure:

Reporting a Claim:

1. Contact supervisor and ask for a TDI form or you may also obtain one from the Human Resource office.

2. Three sections on the form need to be filled out completely by yourself, your Employer and your doctor.

Upon completion, submit the form to the Human Resources office.

TDI Compensation:

TDI compensates only 58% of your gross wages (which is the average of the last eight weeks you worked) excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Before you can be compensated there is a 7-day waiting period from the initial date of disability. Thereafter paychecks are issued every two weeks on your scheduled payday in the same manner that you normally receive it.

*Federal, State and FICA taxes will be withheld from your TDI check. You may choose to eliminate your voluntary deductions during this time period if it can be cleared through the Benefit's office in Human Resources.