Unfortunately, accidents and illness can afflict us without warning and when we least expect it. When you grow up without ever becoming seriously ill or breaking any bones then this can lead you to feeling pretty invincible, however as human beings we are unmistakably fragile and susceptible to a myriad of debilitating issues. When these issues arise out of the blue you can find yourself unable to work for a lengthy period of time and when you are living paycheck to paycheck, this could prove to be especially devastating. It’s important to know about the short-term disability benefits which are available to you from your state and employer, or if you should consider purchasing a private plan. After all, if you would cover your home and vehicles with insurance then why wouldn’t you want to protect the income which carries all of their overhead? Detailed below are a few important facts about possible short-term disability benefits:
It’s all a matter of where you live. Depending on your location there can be plenty of programs you can utilize to help you through hard times. Short-term disability benefits provided by the state, also known as SDI or TDI (state disability insurance and temporary disability insurance), are only available to citizens from a select handful of states, California, New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and New Jersey. However, many other states have temporary disability programs available to help those with low-incomes by means of medical, housing, and sometimes even cash assistance. Obtaining SDI/TDI is typically much easier than Social Security disability. The federal government doesn’t offer short-term disability benefits through either its SSI or SSDI programs, so if you are expecting to be out of work for more than a year you should apply for long-term disability through those programs instead.
State disability insurance is a pretty simple process to obtain short-term disability benefits, but there are some general requirements. The illness or injury can’t be work-related as this would cause the case to be a matter of worker’s compensation. Depending on the state listed above, an applicant must have worked a minimum of 30 days to half a year. Some states even have a minimum earnings requirement which must be met regardless of how long you have been working. Benefits can only be paid for up to a maximum of one year and it varies from state to state. There is typically a one to two week waiting period before you begin to receive benefits once you’ve been approved and the weekly payments you receive are roughly around 60% of your usual wages. Depending on your state’s program it’s possible to lose your benefits when you hit a certain cap. Pregnant women can easily attain several weeks of benefits for their delivery and recovery.
When these accidents and illnesses occur you can find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of research and paperwork you have to do while in your weakened state. If your affliction is serious enough, then the medications you are taking may interfere with your ability to go through these processes yourself. There are many experts available, like the ones found at website who can help you get through this difficult time. You can also visit their Youtube channel for more information.
