(a) A disability benefit shall become payable to a participant only upon the participant’s separation from all service for the employer and upon a determination by the board that the participant has a disability pursuant to Section 21156. The disability benefit is a distribution of the balance of the participant’s account as of the first valuation date immediately following the date of the application.
(b) Application for a disability benefit shall be made on an application form and in the manner prescribed by the board.
(c) The employer shall certify on a form prescribed by the board that the participant’s employment has terminated.