How to Begin a Short Term Disability Claim

You can start your short term disability claim if you are unable to work due to a disability caused by an injury or a medical condition. Short term disability insurance is also applicable during the time you are waiting for the Long Term Disability benefits. During this period, you may be provided with a part of the salary depending on the degree of your disability. Either the insurance company or your employer or the social security department of your state will be assisting you with this benefit. Check the following steps with regard to starting a short term disability claim:

Step 1 – Check Eligibility and Apply

First check whether your disability is eligible to be awarded benefits under short term disability benefits by the provider. If you are eligible, then it can be started when your sick leave gets exhausted or when you are away from work for at least a week and still you are disabled to do your work.

Step 2 – Collect Relevant Information

Start collecting the necessary details and evidence for the last day of work before injury, physician data, diagnosis test results, case history, social security number, job title, job description, list of all duties performed in the job, weekly earnings, and details about rejoining work if you have already returned.

Step 3 – File the Claim

Get short term disability form from the benefits provider. Fill in all required information in the prescribed format. Attach all the required documents to support your disability and get it certified or validated by the physician and submit it to the benefit provider.

Step 4 –What Should You Expect?

The benefit amount paid is usually 60% of gross weekly salary without bonus, over time pay or other incentives like commission. However, based on the length of the employee’s experience, some employers may provide even 100% of the weekly salary. You can receive short term disability benefits for a maximum of 3 to 6 months, after which you are eligible for long term benefits if your disability continues.

If there is a possibility of your disability appearing as a long term disability, you can also start the process of filing Long Term Disability claim in the third month of the beginning of the disability. 

Final Word

The above information gives you an idea of how to start a short term disability claim. To get more details and exact information pertaining to your condition, you have to consult an attorney experienced with your state’s labor and workers compensation jurisdiction.