How long short-term disability (STD) lasts depends on your policy’s terms. Generally, short-term disability lasts three to six months from the date of an illness or injury. Some policies provide STD insurance benefits for up to one year.
Speak with a Baton Rouge short-term disability lawyer if you are unsure how long you can receive benefits. Your attorney reviews your policy and ensures your claim is filed right away.
If your claim has been denied, your lawyer will review your denial letter to determine why this has happened. From here, they will create a custom plan to get your denial reversed.
How Long Does Short-Term Disability Last in the United States?
Many short-term disability policies provide benefits for a maximum of six months. If you have one of these policies and suffer an illness or injury that is not related to your job, your policy gives you money to use while you recover.
There are short-term disability insurance policies that offer coverage for one year, but these are uncommon. Such policies are often linked to long-term disability (LTD) coverage. For example, you are coping with an illness and qualify for STD benefits. After you use up your short-term benefits, you could receive LTD ones as long as you meet the waiting period for doing so.
Talk with a Baton Rouge long-term disability lawyer if you are dealing with an illness or injury that could keep you out of work for an extended period. Your attorney explains the differences between short- and long-term disability benefits. They offer tips and recommendations on how to capitalize on all of the benefits available to you.
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How Does Short-Term Disability Insurance Work?
Short-term disability insurance coverage provides financial aid if you cannot work temporarily due to an illness or injury. Typically, the coverage gives you a portion of your salary for a set amount of time. To understand how this coverage works, consider a traditional policy.
A traditional policy usually covers 40-60% of your income if you experience a non-work-related illness or injury. It offers coverage lasting from a few weeks to several months. You may purchase the coverage individually or as part of an employer-sponsored group plan.
Short-term disability and workers’ compensation benefits are not the same thing. An STD policy serves as income replacement insurance. It protects you financially if you become ill or get injured outside of work. Alternatively, workers’ comp provides lost wage benefits and others if you are coping with an illness or injury that occurs as a result of your employment.
Do I Qualify for Short-Term Disability Insurance Benefits?
Consult with a short-term disability attorney to find out if you are eligible for benefits. Your lawyer examines your insurance coverage and shares short-term disability FAQs and other resources. Reasons people file STD insurance claims include:
- Broken bones or other injuries from car accidents
- Recovery from surgery
- Pneumonia, migraines, or other medical conditions that prevent you from working
- Maternity leave
- Depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions that warrant a temporary leave from work
File your claim promptly if you qualify for short-term disability benefits. Your lawyer guides you through the claims process, submitting medical documentation and other evidence to your insurance company. They make it clear to your insurer that your claim is valid and that your STD benefits should last for as long as you are eligible to receive them.
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What Happens if Time Runs Out on How Long My Short-Term Disability Benefits Last?
You could receive long-term disability benefits if you lose your short-term ones. For instance, you receive short-term disability benefits from your employer. You use these benefits for as long as they last. After you exhaust these benefits, your employer may provide long-term ones. Depending on the severity of your disability, you could get long-term benefits until retirement.
In many instances, the waiting period for long-term disability benefits is 90 days. This period begins the day you suffer your illness or injury. Thus, you could get STD benefits, use them up, and receive long-term ones immediately.
Just because you are eligible for long-term disability benefits does not guarantee your insurer will approve your claim. Partner with a long-term disability attorney who knows the ins and outs of the claims process. Your lawyer handles your claim, making it difficult for your insurance company to deny your benefits request.
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The Bottom Line on How Long Short-Term Disability Lasts and How to Get the Benefits You Paid for and Deserve
You believe your short-term disability benefits will last long enough for you to make a full recovery from your illness or injury. Yet, your insurance company disputes your benefits request. You do not have to face this scenario alone. Trust a short-term disability lawyer to fight back against your insurer while you prioritize your health and well-being.
ERISA Insurance Claim Attorneys has more than three decades of experience winning benefits for our clients. We know the challenges you will encounter as you go through the claims process. If an insurance company contests or denies your STD claim, we are here to help. Schedule a case evaluation with us.
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