SPECIAL SERVICES Social Security Assistance Program If your claim for Disability benefits under this plan is approved, MetLife provides you with assistance in applying for Social Security disability benefits. Before outlining the details of this assistance, you should understand why applying for Social Security disability benefits is important. Why You Should Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits Both you and your Employer contribute payroll taxes to Social Security. A portion of those tax dollars are used to finance Social Security's program of disability protection. Since your tax dollars help fund this program, it is in your best interest to apply for any benefits to which you may be entitled. Your spouse and children may also be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits due to your Disability. There are several reasons why it may be to your financial advantage to receive Social Security disability benefits. Some of them are: 1. Avoids reduced retirement benefits Should you become disabled and approved for Social Security disability benefits, Social Security will freeze your earnings record as of the date Social Security determines that your disability has begun. This means that the months/years that you are unable to work because of your disability will not be counted against you in figuring your average earnings for retirement and survivors benefit. 2. Medicare Protection Once you have received 24 months of Social Security disability benefits, you will have Medicare protection for hospital expenses. You will also be eligible to apply for the medical insurance portion of Medicare. 3. Trial Work Period Social Security provides a trial work period for the rehabilitation efforts of disabled workers who return to work while still disabled. Full benefit checks can continue for up to 9 months during the trial work period. 4. Cost of Living Increases Awarded by Social Security Will Not Reduce Your Disability Benefits MetLife will not decrease your Disability benefit by the periodic cost of living increases awarded by Social Security. This is also true for any cost of living increases awarded by Social Security to your spouse and children. This is called a Social Security "freeze." It means that only the Social Security benefit awarded to you and your dependents will be used by MetLife to reduce your Disability benefit; with the following exceptions: a) an error by Social Security in computing the initial amount; b) a change in dependent status; or c) your Employer submitting updated earnings records to Social Security for earnings received prior to your Disability. Over a period of years, the net effect of these cost of living increases can be substantial. How MetLife Assists You in the Social Security Approval Process As soon as you apply for Disability benefits, MetLife begins assisting you with the Social Security approval process. 1. Assistance Throughout the Application Process MetLife has a dedicated team of Social Security Specialists. These Specialists, many of whom have worked for the Social Security Administration, are also located within our Claim Department. They provide