Many people ask how to apply for short-term disability while making a faulty assumption that puts their families in a precarious financial bind.
You cannot file a claim for benefits if you do not have coverage, and you must show evidence of good health to buy a new policy!
State-mandated short-term disability exists in only seven regions, meaning most people reading this short article do not have coverage in force.
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Short-Term Disability Rejection Reasons: Coverage & Claims
Lack of coverage is the primary short-term disability disqualifier. Hundreds have asked us how to apply for benefits, thinking the government had a program replacing lost wages. But this belief is wrong. Forty-one states do not require temporary disability. If …
Pre-Existing Conditions and Short-Term Disability Rules
Pre-existing health conditions affect short-term disability when you buy insurance and when you file a claim. Expect denials at both stages. Pre-existing health conditions are still a thorny issue. The Affordable Care Act does not regulate income insurance. Avoid exclusions …
Social Security When Out of Work Temporarily: 12 Months +
The Social Security Administration (SSA) states that it does not cover short-term disabilities but does not explain what “short-term” means. On the same page, the SSA states that a disability must last at least twelve months. You do not need …
Financial Strategies While Awaiting Disability Approval
How do you survive while waiting for Social Security disability approval? Applicants face a minimum five-month waiting period, and the application, review, and appeal process can take longer. With many people living check-to-check before suffering a severe injury or illness, …
Navigating Unemployment Due to Health or Mental Conditions
Collecting unemployment while off work for medical and mental health reasons is rarely possible when you have a temporary disability. Therefore, apply for disability benefits instead of “medical unemployment” while you cannot work to keep your family finances afloat and …
Understanding Short-Term Disability Rules for Pregnancy
Does my high-risk classification or bed rest prescription qualify as a valid medical reason for a short-term disability during pregnancy? How does the coverage work while recovering after childbirth? Can you extend maternity leave if postpartum depression delays your return …
Short-Term Disability Approval Guide for Expecting Mothers
How do you get short-term disability approved while pregnant so you can enjoy maternity leave benefits? Is my pregnancy a pre-existing condition? These are essential questions for women facing unpaid time off from work. You will find the answers here …
Mental Health and Rehab: Short-Term Disability Eligibility
Some questions have no single correct answer. The only way to know is to reference the summary plan description or file a claim with objective medical evidence. Short-term disability is more likely to cover specific mental health conditions than …
Injuries & Illnesses Short-Term Disability Might Cover
Short-term disability insurance covers injuries and illnesses that satisfy your policy’s definition of a qualifying medical condition, which typically has five components. Learn how these five rules might apply to your situation – given more in-depth definitions found in most …
Income Support If You’re Off Work After an Operation
Paying the out-of-pocket expenses (deductible, copayments, etc.) for any surgical procedure can prove expensive. However, the financial consequences can prove devastating when combined with lost income while out of work during your recovery. Getting disability income benefits for a short …
Can You Use Short-Term Disability to Care for Loved Ones?
Many ask whether long-term or short-term disability insurance covers the care of family members because of the financial hardship caused by lost income. Unfortunately, the answer is no; you must find other financial alternatives. Luckily, options do exist to help …
How SSA Determines Mental Health Disability Payments
Many Social Security Disability applicants are unfamiliar with the program and often begin by asking the wrong questions. How much disability pays for mental health disorders is one such query. Your diagnosis has everything to do with whether you qualify …