Worker with a disability

How to apply for short term disability

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Risks not only exist in the workplace, but also outside of it. If you ever have an accident, plan an operation, or develop a condition that does not allow you to complete your tasks normally, you will most likely need a short term disability insurance.

But, why is it important to have an insurance against incidents outside your work? Well, according to the Council for Disability Awareness: “Only 48 percent of American adults indicate they have enough savings to cover three months of living expenses in the event they’re not earning any income.”

Disability statistics

So, to prevent any uncertainty, this coverage helps you financially while you spend time recovering at home.

And although in all states the procedure is not the same, here we will explain to you how to apply for this benefit.

What is considered a disability?

For short term cases, it’s an accident or incident that happened outside the workplace, and that may or may not be related to your functions, for example:

  • A surgery, with a long recovery period, that will not allow you to be in an office for several months.
  • An injury that will not let you use a specific part of the body.
  • The development of a mental illness that will require frequent treatment.
  • And many others.

Generally, companies that provide this benefit have established cases, so remember to ask first for all the information to make sure you can apply.

Criteria to apply

Although this may vary depending on the state and who provides the benefit (employer or insurance company), the general criteria are:

  • The person must work in the company for a specific amount of time before the incident: generally from 30 days to 6 months.
  • There is a waiting period before receiving any benefit: between 8 and 14 days.}
  • You must be a formal worker of the company, full-time.
  • The condition or accident should not be directly related to your job.
  • You must present information certified by your doctor or go to a medical consult to demonstrate the disability.

➡ Also, you might find this helpful: How to make a certificate of trust

Applying for a short term disability

When a company hires someone, they generally offer a short term disability as a benefit.

However, they are not required to do so, except for 5 states: New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii, and Rhode Island.

The affected person will receive a payment equivalent to a percentage of his salary for a certain period to compensate or help him financially.

The benefits are from 40 to 60% of your monthly salary (in some cases, taxes are taken into account, and in others not, it all depends on the contract) and lasts between 9 and 30 weeks (52 in California).

This can be received in three ways:

Through the State Disability Insurance (SDI)

If you live in New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii, or Rhode Island, the qualification requirements and benefits may vary depending on the state, so research before beginning the process.

After being sure, notify the company that you are going to apply for a short term disability insurance so they can inform you of the documents they require.

Additionally, you must fill out an SDI claim. You can get the form on the official website of your state’s Department of Labor.

Then, collect all your medical paperwork and deliver it to both the company and the Department of Labor.

Through the employer

If you live in a state where short term disability is not mandatory, but the company offers it as a benefit, they will have plans designed according to their criteria and which you should discuss directly with them.

Go to the Human Resources department and request all the necessary information and forms to process it.

Through an insurance company

Regardless of the state you are working in, sometimes companies allow you to choose this benefit, but they do not provide it themselves, so:

1. The first step is to get an insurance company. Make a research and request information about their plans and their premiums to choose the one that suits you best.

2. Request the application forms: From the company (in Human Resources) and the insurer.

3. Pay the premiums: In some cases, you can request to have it deducted from your salary, in parts. But if you can’t do this, just arrange a payment plan.

4. Organize your medical paperwork: accident/incident/condition data, exams, doctor’s reports, and expenses.

5. Deliver all the documents and keep a few copies.

Some considerations

  • In any of the application ways, you will always have to deliver your medical paperwork. So, classify all the information from the beginning and be sure it’s all certified by your doctor.
  • If the accident occurs within the workplace, other types of insurance will bring you more benefits, but that have different criteria and policies.
  • If you need to be out of work for longer than expected, because of your condition, you should opt for a long term disability or permanent disability insurance.
  • IMPORTANT: the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not grant any benefits for short term disabilities:

Social Security Administration website