Can I Get Social Security for a Short-Term Disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a form of government-sponsored insurance that pays covered disabled workers and their family members a portion of their income. SSDI is geared toward long-term disability. Short-term or temporary disability benefits are meant to help workers who have short-term, non-work-related health conditions. Short-term disability insurance is offered by the state and typically funded by an employer, but it is available only in a limited number of states. Individuals may also purchase their own short-term disability insurance. Read on to learn how SSDI and short-term disability do and do not interact. Reach out to a dedicated California social security disability insurance lawyer for help obtaining disability coverage.
Short-Term Disability is Not Social Security
SSDI is intended to help out qualifying workers and their families who suffer from a medical condition causing disability. To be “covered” by SSDI, a worker must have worked long enough and recently enough, while paying Social Security taxes. SSDI is reserved for medical conditions expected to last at least a year or result in death.
Short-term disability benefits are not connected to SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Social Security Administration (SSA), in fact, does not offer any type of short-term disability benefits. In several states, however, short-term disability benefits are still available through the state.
Short-Term Disability is Available in California
California is one of five states that offer short-term disability (along with Hawaii, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey). California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides short-term disability insurance (STDI) as well as paid family leave wage replacement benefits for eligible workers who need time off of work. STDI is available to California workers who need time off due to non-work-related illness or injury, pregnancy, or childbirth. (Work-related injuries and illnesses go through workers’ compensation.)
STDI is available to California workers who satisfy certain criteria, including the following:
- The worker is unable to perform their work duties for at least eight days due to qualifying illness or injury
- The applicant is employed or actively looking for work at the time of the injury
- The applicant lost wages due to the disability
- The worker has paid at least $300 in SDI deductions
- The worker is under the treatment of a licensed physician or practitioner within the first eight days of disability and acquires a medical certification of disability from their medical care provider
If you have a short-term disability, you might be eligible for coverage under your employer’s short-term disability policy. A seasoned California short-term disability benefits attorney can help you prepare your application and ensure that you get the most out of your available coverage.
Contact Us Today for Immediate Assistance with a California Disability Claim
For help obtaining disability benefits in southern California or statewide, call the seasoned Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI) attorneys Drake & Drake at 818-624-4695.
