How to Qualify for Temporary Disability Benefits

Temporary disability benefits are not as commonplace as one might expect. First off, most states do not have laws requiring employers to provide temporary disability benefits to employees. Second, the Social Security office does not pay short term disability benefits at all. You can only go to the Social Security office if you have total disability and need permanent disability benefits. That being said, there are minimum requirements and rules in the states that provide temporary disability benefits. Your situation may vary.

Rules and Requirements for Short Term Disability

Temporary disability benefits are only required to be provided by employers in Puerto Rico and five states. They are:

Government and military employees may also have access to short term disability coverage in other states; it depends on your particular employer's policies.

Temporary disability provides partial income protection for workers due to injuries, pregnancy and the like. This is so employees suffering a temporary setback will have an incentive to return to work after they recover instead of drawing a full salary while doing no work for the employer.

Workers generally have to work a certain number of hours per week and have been an employee for a certain period of time in order to qualify. They may also have to pay to participate in the program.

California

California employees get paid about 55 percent of their gross salary up to a maximum of $987 per week after a one week waiting period for up to 13 months.

New York

New York offers 50 percent of salary after one week for up to six and a half months with a maximum benefit $170 per week after a one week waiting period. Teachers and government workers are exempt from coverage and benefits are taxable.

New Jersey

New Jersey offers payment of 2/3 salary up to $559 per week after a one week waiting period to a maximum of six and a half months within 52 consecutive weeks (13 months). Benefits are subject to federal taxes only.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island claims start on the Sunday of the week you were unable to work and earned wages under the claim's benefit rate. Benefits are paid for up to seven and a half months and based on a percentage of your highest quarterly earnings over a base period. The weekly payment is 4.62 percent of the highest quarter’s earnings. Benefits are not taxable. Rhode Island also has benefits for dependents of $10 per week or 7 percent of your benefit rate for up to five dependents.

Hawaii

Hawaii pays 58 percent of salary up to a maximum of $510 per week after a seven day waiting period for up to six and a half months.

Note that these are only general guidelines and no substitute for independent research on your situation. There are exceptions and requirements to watch out for. If you need to appeal a benefit decision, it is a good idea to retain a licensed disability attorney in your area.