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The Basics
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance is private insurance that replaces some of your income if you can't work because of an injury or illness. STD is important because it can ease the financial burden on a household when someone has a serious illness or injury. Talk to your Human Resources department to see if your job offers STD coverage as a benefit.
The main difference between disability income insurance, like STD, and Workers’ Compensation insurance is that for disability income insurance, the injury or illness does not need to be work-related.
There are two types of disability income insurance:
- Short-Term Disability (STD) pays you a portion of your income for a short period of time. Depending on your plan, STD generally will last between nine and 52 weeks (one year). The average STD policy in Arizona lasts for six months. STD is explained in detail in this article.
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) pays you a portion of your income after you run out of STD. Depending on your plan, LTD may pay you for a specific number of years, like two years or five years, or until you turn a specific age, like 65. For more details, read DB101’s article about LTD.
With STD, the amount of time you can get benefits and the dollar amount you get from the benefits can vary significantly.
Some employers offer group disability income insurance policies as part of their benefits packages. If your employer does not offer STD or if you want additional coverage, you can buy an individual policy from an insurance agent. Each insurance policy has different features. You can get more information about your Short-Term Disability Insurance plan from your employer’s Human Resources department if you get your coverage through your job or from your insurance agent if you have an individual policy.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance is not a government benefit, and it is not connected to any public benefit program. It is private insurance coverage that you get through a private company.
To find out if you have STD coverage through your employer, talk to your Human Resources person. To sign up for an individual policy, contact an insurance company or insurance agent.
Note: If you are looking for information about Social Security benefits for people with disabilities, see DB101's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) article and DB101's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) article.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
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Overview
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance helps replace some of your income for a period of a year or less when you cannot work at all or can only work part-time because of a disability.
To be covered by STD, you or your employer must pay a monthly premium. When an illness or injury prevents you from working, you apply for benefits by speaking with your Human Resources representative (if you have a group policy) or your insurance agent (if you have an individual policy).
Most STD policies require medical documentation that shows why you are unable to perform the functions of your current job and that explains what your functional limitations are. Depending on your policy and your medical condition, you may need to report on the status of your disability. There will probably be a waiting period between the date you leave work and the date when you actually begin to get benefits.
Once the waiting period is over, you will generally get a set percentage of the wages you were earning before you were disabled. Although the amount varies, payments are generally around 60% of your previous wage. For example, if you were paid $2,000 per month at work and your policy pays 60% of your pre-disability earnings, your benefits amount will be $1,200 per month. STD policies generally lasts between nine weeks and 52 weeks (or one year), after which time your benefits will end.
When your STD benefits ends, you may have the option of moving to a Long-Term Disability (LTD) policy if you are covered by one. Some STD plans automatically transition to a LTD plan if you are still disabled after the benefits period ends (the benefits period is the amount of time that you will get a benefits check). Another option may be to go on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you anticipate needing SSDI, you should apply as soon as possible.
Note: The standards for being disabled under a STD policy and a LTD policy are not always the same. Most STD policies require the person to be disabled from working at their own job. Many LTD policies require that the person be unable to work at any job for which they are reasonably qualified based on their training, education, and experience or any job that the person is qualified for that pays at least a specified percentage of what they earned at their pre-disability job.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
STD
- The Basics
- Overview
- Eligibility and Application
- Benefits
- Other STD Policy Options
- Example
- FAQs
- Pitfalls
- Next Steps
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Eligibility and Application
Where to Sign Up
You can sign up or apply for Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance by contacting:
- Your employer’s Human Resources department if your employer offers disability income insurance
- A trade union, alumni organization, or other professional organization you are a member of if they offer group plans
- An insurance agent if you want an individual plan
Group Coverage and Individual Coverage
One way to get STD insurance is through an employer, union, or other professional organization. This type of policy is known as group coverage and is your best option. To get coverage through your employer, you usually need to be working a minimum number of hours per week. This is called the “active work requirement.”
Another option is to purchase individual coverage directly from an insurance company or agent. The main reason for getting an individual policy is if you work for an employer who does not offer any STD policy or the income from the insurance would be insufficient if you did become disabled.
Getting an individual policy is a little more complicated than getting a group policy. You will have to look at different factors before you choose a policy and undergo medical underwriting. You may be denied coverage. These and other issues related to finding and choosing an individual policy are discussed below.
If you get group coverage from your employer and are leaving your job, you may be able to convert your group coverage from your old employer to an individual policy that you can keep without undergoing medical underwriting. This can be helpful if you are going to work for a new employer who does not offer disability income insurance as part of their benefits package.
Major Differences in Policies
If you purchase an individual policy, you will pay a monthly premium for your STD insurance. The premium depends on many factors, including your age, your health, the type of work you did when you first signed up for STD, and the length of the waiting period.
If you have a group STD policy, ask your Human Resources department about your plan’s waiting period, coverage amount, and benefits period:
- Waiting Period: Sometimes called the elimination period. This is the period between the start of your disability and when you are paid your benefits. Generally, policies with longer waiting periods are cheaper. Many plans have different waiting periods for different types of disabilities. For example, a plan may have a seven-day waiting period for illnesses and no waiting period for accidents.
- Benefits Rates: Most policies pay about 60% of the income you made prior to becoming disabled. Some policies also change rates during the benefits period. For example, your policy may pay 80% for the first three weeks of disability and then 50% for the remainder of your benefits period. If you get an individual policy, think about how much money you believe you would need to pay for your essential monthly expenses, such as your mortgage payments or rent, food, utilities, and transportation, if you couldn’t work. Remember that if you develop a disability, you may also have additional medical costs. Try to get a plan that you think will cover your expenses.
- Benefits Period: The benefits period is the amount of time that you would get benefits if you became disabled. For STD policies, the benefits period is 12 months or less. If you have an employer-sponsored policy, but you don’t feel it gives you a benefits period that is long enough, you can buy additional coverage. You may want to select a policy to get the longest benefits period that is available. However, the longer the benefits period, the more you will pay in premiums.
If you are applying for an individual plan, make sure you understand the policies different insurers offer.
Medical History and Pre-Existing Conditions
When you sign up for STD insurance, the insurance provider will look at your medical history. Insurers look at your medical history differently, depending on whether you are signing up for group coverage or applying for individual coverage.
Group Coverage
For employer-sponsored coverage, you will be allowed to sign up for the plan during an initial enrollment period. During this period, the insurance company cannot deny you coverage based upon a pre-existing condition, so it is very important to sign up then.
If you have a pre-existing condition when you sign up for your group plan, you may be required to work for a certain period of time before that pre-existing condition is covered by your insurance policy. This period of time is generally between six months and 12 months and is called an exclusionary period.
If you do not sign up during the initial enrollment period, you may have to undergo medical underwriting. The insurance company may review your medical records to find out if you have a pre-existing condition or are getting treatments for a potentially disabling condition. Treatments can include advice from a doctor or a medication. If the insurance company finds that you do have a health condition or have been treated, the insurance company can deny you coverage, exclude conditions from being covered, or have an exclusionary period for your pre-existing conditions.
Similar rules apply to other types of group coverage that are not employment-based (like group policies through a trade union or professional organization). There may be specific periods of enrollment, insurance companies may be able to deny coverage based on health conditions, and there may be exclusionary periods for pre-existing conditions.
Individual Coverage
If you want individual coverage because you do not have access to group coverage or because your group coverage offers small cash benefits or doesn’t give you benefits for long enough if you do become disabled, you will also have to undergo medical underwriting.
The insurance company will review your application and may request and review your medical records to find out if you have a pre-existing condition or are getting treatments (which can include advice from a doctor or a medication) for a potentially disabling condition. If the insurance company decides you do have a health condition or have been treated for one, the insurance company can deny you coverage, exclude conditions from being covered, or have an exclusionary period for your pre-existing conditions.
When to Sign Up
The sooner you sign up for disability income insurance, the better. With employer-sponsored plans, you should sign up during your pre-enrollment period, also called the initial enrollment period. With other group policies, you may have to be a member of the group for a period of time before you can enroll in the plan. Once you become eligible to enroll, sign up as quickly as you can to avoid exclusionary periods or the exclusion of specific conditions.
Some employers will only offer disability income insurance policies after you have worked for them for a set period of time, called a service wait or a minimum service requirement (for example, you may have to wait six months before you can enroll). Some policies also pay higher benefits for people who have worked for longer periods.
Service waits are also common for group plans that are offered by unions and other organizations. Your eligibility to enroll may depend on how long you have been a member of the group.
If you are interested in purchasing an individual policy, you should apply as young as possible. Young people pay lower premiums and if you purchase disability income insurance at a young age, you may be able to get a noncancelable policy, which means that your coverage can’t be canceled. You also may be able to get a policy where your premiums can’t be raised as long as you pay your premiums on time.
If you have a dispute with a disability income insurance provider, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Department of Insurance. You can file a complaint if you:
- Believe you were wrongly denied disability income insurance coverage
- Disagree with the medical underwriting based on a pre-existing condition, or
- Believe that any other terms or conditions of your disability income insurance plan violate Arizona law.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
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Benefits
Getting Benefits
If you get injured or become ill, contact your Human Resources department (if you have group insurance) or insurance agent (if you have an indivdiual policy) as soon as possible to begin the application process. You are eligible to get disability benefits if you cannot work for any health-related reason. Your injury or illness does not have to be work-related.
Once you apply for cash benefits from your disability income insurance plan, there is usually a waiting period before you can begin to get benefits. For Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance, the waiting period is typically a few days, but it can be as long as a month or more. Some policies also require you to take your sick days before you are allowed to collect your benefits.
Once the waiting period is complete, you should get your benefits about a month later.
The Benefits
Each policy has a different way of figuring out how much money you will get. Some send you a set dollar amount, while others give you a percentage of the wages you made before becoming disabled. Depending on your plan, bonuses, tips, and commissions from your job may or may not be included in the calculation of your wages.
Depending on how your disability income insurance is paid for, your benefits may or may not be taxed when you get them. If your employer paid your premium, you usually will have to pay taxes on your benefits. If you paid for an individual policy with your own taxed income, you probably won’t have to pay taxes on the benefits. Contact your income tax professional or Human Resources department for more information.
Public Disability Benefits
While you are getting private disability benefits, you may want to apply for public benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). For example, if you are getting STD and are not going to be able to return to work when your STD ends, you should apply for SSDI as soon as possible.
If you get benefits from other programs, like SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), at the same time as you get STD, most private disability income insurance policies will lower your benefits by the amount those benefits programs pay you. For example, if your STD benefits are $2,000 per month and you begin to get $800 per month in SSDI benefits, your STD benefits will be lowered to $1,200 a month.
The advantage of being enrolled in SSDI or SSI while getting disability income insurance is that they can make you eligible for Medicare or the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), health coverage which isn’t supplied by disability income insurance.
Health Coverage
STD insurance gives you money, not health coverage. For the first 12 weeks that you are unable to work due to a medical condition, you may still be entitled to be covered by your employer's benefits (including your employer's health plan) under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
To be entitled to continuing coverage, you must still be employed at your organization. The FMLA allows you to get up to 12 weeks of leave for a medical condition or for care for a family member with a medical condition if you have been employed at the organization for at least 12 consecutive months prior to taking the leave. During the leave, your employer must continue to offer you the health benefits they offered prior to the leave.
Even though this leave will be unpaid, during your FMLA leave you can still get paid if you use sick time, vacation time, or you get STD benefits. To read more about the FMLA, click here.
After the 12 weeks of leave are over, your employer has the right to let you go if you are still unable to return to work. If you want to continue to get your health coverage through your employer’s health plan after you are laid off, you may be able to continue that coverage by paying out of pocket for COBRA.
Another option for private health coverage is to find an individual plan on HealthCare.gov. Depending on your situation, the government may help pay for your premium for an individual plan through tax subsidies. Or, you may become eligible for public health coverage like AHCCCS or Medicare. To learn more about different health coverage possibilities, see DB101's Health Care Coverage section.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
STD
- The Basics
- Overview
- Eligibility and Application
- Benefits
- Other STD Policy Options
- Example
- FAQs
- Pitfalls
- Next Steps
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Other Disability Insurance Policy Options
In addition to different waiting periods, benefits periods, and benefits rates, which are described earlier in this article, Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance policies can vary in other ways. These details are important because they can have a major impact on your benefits if you become disabled.
Definition of Disability
Disability income insurance providers think about disability in two ways:
- Own-Occupation Disability (or “Own Occ” ) means your disability prevents you from performing your own occupation, which means you cannot do the work or job you have been trained to do and have experience in
-
Any-Occupation Disability (or “Any Occ”) means your disability prevents you from performing any occupation:
- Sometimes Any Occ means that your disability prevents you from performing any occupation that pays at least a specified percentage of what you earned before your disability
Own-occupation insurance policies pay you if you are unable to perform your own occupation, even if you are able to get a different type of job. They have higher premiums than policies that require you to be unable to perform any occupation.
Trial Work Period
Policies may allow you to return to work on a trial basis. For example, your policy may give you a two-week trial period. If you go back to work for less than two weeks and then find that you can’t do your job because of your disability, the policy would allow you to continue your benefits as if you hadn’t returned to work. If you are able to return to work and then you find that the same disability again prevents you from doing your job, your policy may or may not require another waiting period.
Part-Time Work
Some plans allow you to return to work part-time while continuing to pay your benefits. This is usually referred to as a “residual” or “loss of earnings” benefit. When an employee returns to work part-time, wages for hours worked are paid by the employer and STD replaces the regular hours not worked at the pay replacement level.
For example, if you worked eight hours per day before your disability, and you are able to return to work four hours a day, the disability income insurance policy may replace some of your income for the remaining four hours.
Changes to Your Premium
Under noncancelable policies, your policy cannot be canceled as long as the required premiums are paid on time.
Under guaranteed renewable policies, your premium can be raised, but only if the change affects an entire class of policyholders. Initial premiums for guaranteed renewable policies can be less expensive than noncancelable policies.
Some policies may also have provisions that mean the premium can never be raised above a certain amount specified in the policy. Other less expensive policies that don’t have premium or renewability guarantees are also sometimes available.
Exclusions
Many policies will not cover disabilities caused by suicide attempts, drug abuse, war, or attempts to commit a crime. Pre-existing conditions are also frequently excluded, as was discussed earlier in this article. On-the-job injuries, which are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance, are also not covered.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
Try It
Example
Ana’s Story
Ana had just started a new job. She decided to ask her Human Resources (HR) representative about the benefits she was eligible for and how to sign up for them. The HR person, James, told Ana that the employer offered Short-Term Disability (STD) group coverage and that the initial enrollment period lasted for one month.
Ana had injured her back the year before and thought maybe she wouldn’t qualify for the STD coverage. However, James told her that through the group plan, she could sign up for disability income insurance without medical underwriting, as long as she signed up during the initial enrollment period. He told her that she would still have to disclose her condition, and she would have a six-month exclusionary period, but that they would not deny her coverage.
Ana signed up for the STD plan the next day. The group policy supplied by her employer had a one-year minimum service requirement, which meant that she would not become eligible for a benefit until she had worked at the company for a full year. For back injuries, there would be an additional six-month exclusionary period, which meant she would have to wait an additional six months to be covered, because her back problems were a pre-existing condition.
Two years later, Ana re-injured her back. She went to the doctor, who told her that she would not be able to work for at least three months. Ana immediately notified James, the HR representative, who gave her some forms that her doctor needed to fill out. Ana faxed the signed forms to James. There was a seven-day waiting period on her policy, which meant that she would start getting her benefits a week after she had left work.
After the waiting period, Ana began to get weekly disability benefits. She had earned $400 a week before her injury, and her policy paid 70% of pre-disability earnings, so she would get a $280 check every week until she returned to work or her policy ended. Three months later, Ana and her doctor decided that she could go back to work. She notified her company and went back to work the following week. Her STD benefits stopped.
Ana went to work for just four days before she realized that she was in too much pain to do her job. She worried that she wouldn't be able to go back on her STD benefits, so she spoke again with her Human Resources department. James told her that the group disability plan at her job allowed a two-week trial period, which meant that as long as she hadn't been back at work for two full weeks, she could go back on STD benefits. Ana decided to go back on the disability benefit until she was really better.
Two months later, Ana felt completely healed, but her doctor recommended that she take it easy so that her back didn’t get worse again. She remembered that her policy allowed her to return to work part-time and would pay 70% of her income for the hours that she couldn't work. She decided to work for four hours a day.
Before her injury, Ana had worked eight hours a day, five days a week, for $10 an hour. That came to $400 a week. By returning to work part-time, she would make $200 in wages, and the insurance would pay $140 (70% of $200) for the hours she was missing. After a month, Ana and her doctor agreed that she could return to work full-time. She let her HR department know, stopped getting her STD benefits, and returned to work full-time.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
Try It
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage offers wage replacement to persons who experience wage loss due to a disability. STD coverage lasts for up to one year.
What is the difference between Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance?

Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance usually lasts a year or less and you generally get it during the first year after you become disabled. Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance can last for a much longer period of time. LTD benefits may continue for a set number of years, such as five years, or until you reach a certain age, like 65.
How do you get Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

You can get Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage either through a group or individually. Group coverage can be offered by an employer, a professional group, or association. You can buy individual coverage directly from an insurance broker based on medical underwriting.
Is Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance a public benefit?

No. Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance is not a government benefit and is not connected to any public benefit program. It is private insurance that you get through a private company.
To find out if you have STD coverage through your employer, talk to your Human Resources person. To sign up for an individual policy, contact an insurance company or insurance agent.
If you are looking for information about public Social Security benefits for people with disabilities, see DB101's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) article and DB101's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) article.
Who is eligible for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?


If you get disability coverage through your employer, you may have to work for the employer for a specified period of time — known as a service wait — before you become eligible for benefits. If you get disability income insurance coverage from a professional group or association, you may have to be a member of the group or association for a set period of time before you become eligible for benefits.
You may buy individual policies directly from an insurance agent based upon medical underwriting. Individual policies are usually available if you have not had any medical treatment for a potentially disabling condition during the past 10 years. Medical treatment includes prescription medications and physician consultations. You may also be denied coverage if you work in a high-risk occupation, are a recreational pilot, or do other activities that the insurer considers risky. Each insurer has its own system for deciding whether it wants to offer you coverage.
How soon will I be eligible to enroll in benefits from Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

If you have employer-sponsored disability income insurance, you must meet the active work requirement to be eligible to enroll in benefits. If you get disability income insurance through a professional group or association, you must meet their specific requirements to be eligible to enroll in coverage.
How much income replacement will I get from Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage means you will get a monthly income replacement that is either a percentage of your pre-disability earnings or a specified dollar amount.
Why should I enroll in group Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage during the initial enrollment period?

The initial enrollment period is the best time to enroll if you have a pre-existing condition. During the initial enrollment period, your medical history is usually not subject to medical underwriting. However, pre-existing condition exclusions may limit or delay the use of coverage.
What is a pre-existing condition exclusionary period in Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

A pre-existing condition is any medical condition for which you were diagnosed, treated, or experienced symptoms of before the coverage effective date. If you have a pre-existing condition, the insurer may choose not to supply you with Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage.
If the insurer does supply you with coverage, your STD plan may have a pre-existing condition exclusionary period. During this period of time, your prior medical condition(s) will not be covered by the policy. However, after the pre-existing exclusionary period ends, the condition becomes covered by your disability income insurance.
How do I meet the requirements for a pre-existing condition exclusionary period for group coverage?

To meet the requirements for the pre-existing condition exclusionary period for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage:
- Enroll during the initial enrollment period
- Continue membership in the group (employer, professional group, association); and
- Stay enrolled in coverage during both the service wait and the pre-existing condition exclusionary period.
Once the exclusionary period has passed, you will then be covered for any pre-existing condition.
How long does a pre-existing condition exclusionary period last in Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

In Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage, a pre-existing condition exclusionary period usually lasts between six and 12 months.
Does Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage offer health coverage too?

No. Disability income insurance only offers wage replacement. With employer-sponsored coverage, the employer may use your eligibility for Short-Term Disability (STD) to decide continued eligibility for other benefits, such as health and life coverage.
Who pays for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

If you have individual Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage, you will be responsible for all costs, which can vary depending on your health and the plan you choose.
For group STD coverage, you may be responsible for no cost, a percentage of the cost, or the entire cost. With employer-sponsored coverage, you may be responsible for the amount that is above what the employer chooses to pay. Your employer will decide how much they will pay and how much you need to contribute. Your employer can explain these benefits details.
How long does Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage last?

Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage can last up to 12 months.
How do I stay enrolled and eligible for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

Enrollment and eligibility requirements depend on the type of Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage you have – group (employer, professional group, association) or individual. For example, if you have employer-sponsored disability income insurance, you will need to meet the active work requirements, which means that you have to work a minimum number of hours per week. If you are unable to meet the active work requirements due to a disability and you have passed the service wait and pre-existing condition exclusionary periods, insurance may be used to replace a portion of your wages.
For coverage to continue, you need to make sure to pay your monthly premium. If you have insurance coverage through a professional group or association, you will also need to keep your membership to maintain your eligibility for STD benefits.
Does what I have in the bank or what I own affect my eligibility for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

No. There are no resource limits for Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage.
What is the difference between private disability income insurance, like Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage, and public disability programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?


Private disability income insurance is offered through individual or group (employer, professional group, or association) plans. Private coverage does not have income limits and resource limits. Coverage varies between insurance policies.
State and federal wage replacement programs, like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are public benefits. To be eligible for public income replacement, a person does not have to belong to a group but must meet other specific requirements.
Can I keep my group Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage if I no longer belong to the group that offered the benefits?

Yes. Some group Short-Term Disability (STD) plans are portable, if you are not disabled when you leave the group. A portable plan lets you stay covered under the plan, even if you leave your employer. You would be responsible for paying your premium. Be sure to check your summary plan description to see if the plan is portable.
If your STD policy is not portable and you go to another employer that offers STD, you will have to enroll at your new employer during the initial enrollment period and complete their group plan’s service wait and pre-existing condition exclusionary period.
What else should I know about Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage?

If you work fewer hours or leave work due to a disability, you may be eligible to get partial benefits if this provision is included in your policy. Check the summary plan description for details. Also, you may want to consider consulting a Work Incentive Consultant about Social Security disability programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
Try It
Common Pitfalls
Confusing Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance with public disability benefits
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance is not a government benefit and is not connected to any public benefit program. It is private insurance that you get through a private company.
To find out if you have STD coverage through your employer, talk to your Human Resources person. To sign up for an individual policy, contact an insurance company or insurance agent.
If you are looking for information about public Social Security benefits for people with disabilities, see DB101's Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) article and DB101's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) article.
Basing decisions on misinformation
Most of us usually rely on the experience of others to understand how to deal with similar situations. The problem with this is that benefits are person-centered. Benefits programs fit each person differently, based on a variety of facts and conditions, such as:
- Your work history
- How much you earn
- What you own
- How disabling your condition is
- How clearly you report the details of your condition to your medical provider
- How well your medical provider understands or documents these details
- What benefits an employer offers
- What benefits you have purchased individually
Lack of documentation
The more you document your physical or mental condition, the easier it will be to support a claim and to make a case for continuing benefits. Write everything in a daily journal, noting even minor symptoms. If you are too sick or can't keep a daily journal, ask a friend or relative to help you take notes on your symptoms. You can also use this journal to tell medical providers about your condition.
Denial of your disability
People often go through a time when they deny to themselves, their families, and their medical provider(s) that they have a disabling condition. For some people, denial is their way of coping with the changes in their life. During this time, what the person tells medical providers may not match the actual severity of their condition or how seriously it affects day-to-day activities.
Learn more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.
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When you purchase an insurance policy, be sure to read all of the details of your plan. You can read more about your options at these websites:
- The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has a good article explaining disability income insurance (PDF) that includes a checklist of factors to consider when choosing a plan.
- America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a trade association, offers several articles about disability income insurance.
- The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), another organization backed by insurers, also has useful information about disability income insurance.
AZ LINKS – Aging and Disability Resource Center
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The AZ Links – Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) helps seniors, people with disabilities, and their family members and caregivers find resources and services that meet their independent living, disability, housing, financial, legal, and health needs. |
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.
AHCCCS for People with Disabilities
There are more ways to qualify for AHCCCS if you have a disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Private insurance for people who paid premiums or whose employers did. LTD may continue for years.