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 Denial 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 …
When Short-Term Disability Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
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 …
Applying for Short-Term Disability Through Social Security
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 …
Survival Income Assistance While Waiting for Disability
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, …
Unemployment For Medical & Mental Health Reasons
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 …
Getting Your Doctor To Put You On Disability While Pregnant
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 …
How to Get Short-Term Disability Approved While Pregnant
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 …
Does Short-Term Disability Cover Mental Health or Rehab?
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 …
What Short-Term Disability Covers: Qualifying Conditions
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 …
Can I Get Disability for a Short Time Due to Surgery?
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 …
Does Short-Term Disability Cover Care of Family Members?
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 Much Does Disability Pay for Mental Health?
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 …