Short term disability benefits come from insurance policies offered by private insurance companies. These policies usually pay you a percentage of your monthly income when you cannot work due to health reasons. These policies usually pay for up to 6 months.
Some employers offer short term disability insurance benefits to their employees. Some people simply purchase policies for themselves. Employees who pay their own insurance premiums should receive their insurance payments tax free, but consult with your tax professional.
Most often, these short term disability policies come into play during maternity leaves, but you may qualify for any medical reason that impacts your ability to work. Some employers who offer short-term disability insurance also offer long-term disability benefits – but this is not required. All employees should understand their benefits packages, especially if a formal insurance claim is required to invoke them.
Our Social Security lawyers usually evaluate the medical evidence supporting short term disability claims. Social Security benefits require medical conditions to preclude full-time work for 1 year, but our attorneys can make certain arguments based on the insurance company’s medical claim forms.
Contact our lawyers today for more information about Social Security benefits or complete our free disability evaluation.