7. Disability Benefits

HOOPP offers two types of disability benefits to active members of the Plan – free accrual and a disability pension.

The extent of a member's disability, as demonstrated by the evidence that the member and their physician supply to HOOPP, determines which, if any, HOOPP disability benefits the member may be eligible to receive.

Members may receive disability benefits from HOOPP if medical evidence is provided that demonstrates that they meet one of the following definitions:

• Partially disabled – the member has a medically certifiable physical or mental impairment that HOOPP has determined currently prevents them from doing their own job; or

• Totally disabled – the member has a condition causing physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in any employment for which the member is reasonably suited by virtue of their education, training or experience; or

• Totally and permanently disabled – the member has a condition causing physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in any employment for which the member is reasonably suited by virtue of their education, training or experience and that can reasonably be expected to continue for the remainder of the member’s lifetime