How to Apply for Short Term Disability

Applying for short term disability involves having a policy that covers such a disability and complying with the policy terms. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits for those without disability insurance, but only if the disability is a long-term disability. This means it must be expected to last a year or more and/or to lead to death. If your disability does not fall within that category, you will need to apply for short term disability benefits from your insurer in order to receive coverage.

Purchasing Short Term Disability Insurance

Short term disability insurance can be purchased from private companies or though you human resources department. Some companies will purchase such a policy for their employees as part of the employee benefits package.

When a short term disability policy is purchased, you fill in information about your physical health and demographics, your job and the amount of money you make. Your premiums are based both on how risky the insurance company believes it is to insure you and on the type and amount of coverage you purchase.

Applying for Short Term Disability

Once you have a policy in place, you will need to know how to apply for short term disability if you do suffer an injury. Each insurance policy is slightly different, so you will have to consult your particular policy documents to find out the procedure for filing a claim.

Generally, however, to apply for short term disability, you will need to:

• Provide proof that you have been disabled
• Demonstrate that your disability will prevent you from working on a short-term basis (usually for one year or less)
• Provide medical documentation of the extent of your disability
• Ensure the disability type is covered by the provisions of the policy
• Complete a claim request using appropriate forms from your insurance company
• Provide documentation of the wages you earn and the money you are losing as a result of the disability (pay stubs and tax returns are normally appropriate here)
• Speak with an insurance agent or adjuster from the disability insurance company.

Working with the Social Security Administration

If you apply for short term disability, you may still be able to later apply for long term disability with the SSA if your disability becomes more severe or if it persists for one year or longer. To do so, you will need to provide proof that your disability is serious enough and that it lasted long enough. You will also need to prove you have worked for a minimum period of time before becoming disabled, as determined by your age.

Getting Legal Help

When you wish to apply for short term disability through your disability insurance company, you may wish to employ an experienced disability attorney. Such an attorney can help you interface with your insurance company and can help you ensure you follow the appropriate claims handling procedures so you can obtain the recovery you are entitled to under your short term disability policy.