Article source: Nationwide Disability Representatives
Alt tag: What is Short-Term Disability Insurance
If you are unable to work because of a non-work-related injury, illness, or medical condition, then you can take advantage of short-term disability insurance.
You can obtain short-term disability coverage in the following three ways:
- Employer-provided disability insurance
- Individual private disability insurance
- State-run disability insurance programs
Keep in mind that only a small number of states provide such programs to support you when you are unable to perform your job for medical reasons.
What Is Short-Term Disability Insurance?
It is financial support that replaces a portion of your wages if you are temporarily unable to work due to a medical condition. The condition may be an illness, injury, surgery, or pregnancy.
These benefits apply only to non-work-related conditions. If the injury occurs on the job, you need to apply for workers’ compensation.
The insurance typically replaces between 40% and 70% of your regular income. The benefits can last from several weeks to up to one year. However, the benefits and duration vary by state program.
If your state does not offer such a program, you have to rely on insurance provided by your employer or individual private insurance.
States That Provide Temporary Disability Insurance
The following states offer government-run disability benefits programs:
| State / Territory | Official Program Name | Wage Replacement | Max Duration (Medical) | Max Weekly Benefit |
| California | SDI (State Disability Insurance) | 70% – 90% | 52 Weeks | $1,765 |
| Colorado | FAMLI (Family & Medical Leave Insurance) | 90% (tiered) | 12 Weeks* | $1,381.45 |
| Connecticut | CT Paid Leave | 95% (tiered) | 12 Weeks* | $1,016.40 |
| Delaware | Delaware Paid Leave | 80% | 6 Weeks | $900 |
| Dist. of Columbia | DC Paid Family Leave | 90% | 12 Weeks | $1,173 |
| Hawaii | TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) | 58% | 26 Weeks | $871 |
| Maine | Maine PFML (Starts May 2026) | 90% (tiered) | 12 Weeks | $1,198.84 |
| Massachusetts | PFML (Paid Family & Medical Leave) | 80% (tiered) | 20 Weeks | $1,230.39 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Paid Leave | 90% (tiered) | 12 Weeks | $1,348 |
| New Jersey | TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) | 85% | 26 Weeks | $1,119 |
| New York | DBL (Disability Benefits Law) | 50% | 26 Weeks | $170 |
| Oregon | Paid Leave Oregon | 100% (tiered) | 12 Weeks* | $1,636.56 |
| Puerto Rico | SINOT (Seguro Incapacidad No Ocupacional) | ~65% | 26 Weeks | $113 |
| Rhode Island | TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) | ~60% | 30 Weeks | $1,103 |
| Washington | WA Paid Leave | 90% (tiered) | 12 Weeks* | $1,647 |
* An additional 2 weeks is often available for pregnancy-related complications.
Tiered wage replacement means lower-income workers receive a higher percentage of their pay than higher-income workers.
Common Medical Conditions Covered by Short-Term Disability
You can apply for short-term disability when the following prevent you from doing your job:
- Recovery from surgery
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Serious infections or illnesses
- Non-work-related injuries such as fractures
- Temporary mental health conditions
- Complications from chronic diseases
You need to provide medical documentation from a licensed healthcare provider to qualify for these benefits.
Short-Term Disability vs. Workers’ Compensation
Short-term disability and workers’ compensation cover different situations. You can apply for short-term disability benefits only in the case of non-work-related medical conditions.
On the other hand, workers’ compensation provides benefits for injuries or illnesses that occur while performing job-related duties. These benefits may include medical treatment, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent injuries.
Hiring a Short-term Disability Attorney
Obtaining short-term disability benefits is not straightforward in most cases. Sometimes your claim is denied due to insufficient medical evidence or incomplete documentation. This is where a short-term disability attorney in Orlando can help. The lawyer helps you gather all the required documents and file applications with accurate information to increase your chances of approval.
Find a short-term disability attorney in Orlando today!
