Contact:Raymond Filippone (401) 462-8415
Temporary Disability Insurance

CRANSTON, RI-Members of the United States military, the Rhode Island National Guard or a United States military reserve unit who served in a United States-declared combat operation may be eligible to receive Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits as a result of a new law signed by Governor Carcieri on July 15, 2005. The law changes the method by which monetary eligibility for TDI benefits is determined for these combat veterans.

"The Governor submitted the legislation because he felt strongly that individuals serving their country should not be disqualified from receiving benefits because their service time interrupted their normal employment," explained Director Lita S. Orefice.

For all individuals who file a claim for TDI benefits, monetary eligibility for benefits is determined by using a certain period of earnings, known as the "base period." The "base period" consists of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters of earnings prior to the date the disability began. If an individual is determined to be monetarily ineligible because of insufficient base period earnings, the law allows for the claim to be recalculated with "alternate base period," using the last four completed calendar quarters of earnings prior to the date the disability began.

Governor Carcieri's amendment applies to members of the United States military, the Rhode Island National Guard or a United State military reserve unit who served in a United States-declared combat operation, and is retroactive to March 2, 2002.

The individual who files a claim for TDI benefits following his or her release from active military service and who is monetarily ineligible for benefits using the existing "base period" or the "alternate base period" will have his or her claim redetermined using one of the following base periods:

• The first four of the most recently completed five calendar quarters of earnings immediately preceding the first day the individual was called into state or federal active military service.
  
  
• If the individual is monetarily ineligible using the above base period, the claim will be recalculated using the last four completed calendar quarters of earnings immediately preceding the first day the individual was called into state or federal active military service.

Individuals will be asked to provide a copy of their DD214 (release from active duty) or other comparable documentation indicating service in combat duty with their application.

For more information or to download an application for benefits, visit the TDI website at www.dlt.ri.gov/tdi or call (401) 462-8420.

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The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training offers a wide array of employment and training services to both the general public and to individuals with unusual barriers to employment. DLT is ready to assist any job seeker, whether the goal is a first job, a better job, or a career change. Rhode Island's work force is protected through the enforcement of labor laws, prevailing wage rates, and work place health and safety standards. Temporary income support is available to unemployed, sick, or injured workers and a comprehensive rehabilitation program is available to those injured on the job.DLT is dedicated to the growth and competitiveness of Rhode Island industry, administering a variety of training grants, tax credits, and apprenticeship programs to help employers. Economic indicators and labor market information are available for long-range planning. The Agency engages in active outreach, helping large and small employers retain their best workers or retrain their existing work force. At no cost to the employer, DLT will also screen job applicants, post job vacancies, and help businesses institute cost-sharing programs that can avert layoffs.For more information on the innovative programs and services available to all Rhode Islanders at the Department of Labor and Training, please call (401) 462-8000 or visit our web site at www.dlt.ri.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD (401) 462-8006