Skip to main content

Warning! Many SERS members have recently received unsolicited, potentially misleading emails from companies not affiliated with SERS offering retirement counseling. These emails may appear to come from SERS or appear to represent SERS, they do not. SERS encourages members to be cautious of email solicitations and skeptical of any attempts by outside firms to request personal or financial information. SERS will NEVER contact you asking for personal information. If you are within a year of retirement and need an appointment, you can request an appointment by emailing SERS@srs.illinois.gov or by calling (217) 785-7444.

Disability Benefits

This section provides you with all of the information you need to apply for Disability Benefits from State Employees' Retirement System, all in one convenient location.

You must meet all of the requirements for the disability benefit you are applying for. Each disability requirements are listed below.

Nonoccupational Disability Application

Requirements

Must have 18 months of creditable service at the time you are removed from the payroll;

A medical leave of absence must be granted by your agency;
The cause of the injury or illness is not work related;

Occupational Disability Application

Requirements

Must be a member of State Employees' Retirement System at the time of the accident or injury;

The accident or injury is work related
You must receive benefits from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act;

Temporary Disability Application

Requirements

Member must have 18 months of creditable service at the time they are removed from payroll or TTD ends.  In addition, one of the following must apply:

The agency responsible for determining the liability of the State has formally denied employer-paid temporary total disability (TTD) benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act (WCA) or Workers' Occupational Diseases Act (WODA) and an appeal of the denial (Application for Adjustment of Claim) is pending before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC).

The agency responsible for determining the liability of the State has granted and then terminated for any reason an employer-paid TTD benefit and the member has filed a petition for a hearing under Section 19(b) or Section 19 (b-1) of the WCA or WODA.

Footer