Short Term Disability Insurance and Maternity Leave: Frequently Asked Questions

If you get sick but have used up all your sick leave, what can you do? Are you required to go to work anyway? This is where short-term disability comes in. Read on to learn about the ins and outs of short term disability (also known as STD) and how it can help you keep your job while recovering from an illness.

What is Short-Term Disability?

How Do I Get Short-Term Disability Coverage During My Pregnancy or Maternity Leave?

There are four ways to get short-term disability coverage. First, some employers offer short-term disability benefits to all eligible employees which is a taxable benefit to the employee. The employer administers the plan and makes it available to all employees, whether it is needed or not and it is not customizable to individual employees.

Second, some employers offer an optional plan available to employees that is administered by a third-party insurance company. In this case, some portion of the benefit payments may be shared by the employer but you must talk to your benefits administrator or HR department to be sure. It’s important to note that these policies must typically be elected before your disability arises (e.g. before you become a pregnant employee) so this does require some planning and foresight.

Third, individuals can always take out their own short-term disability policy, just as you might pay for your own healthcare, life insurance or any other kind of insurance policy. There are many commercial vendors for short-term disability insurance and each policy is different, so be sure to read the fine print. Typically, the same rule of purchasing into this benefit before you become pregnant applies.

Finally, short-term disability law may cover you depending on the state and jurisdiction in which you are an employee. In this case, you may not need to be covered by an employer plan in order to qualify for short-term disability pregnancy benefits. In fact, typically, if you have full-time work, you may apply for family and medical leave, family leave, sick leave or a leave of absence and file a disability claim that provides you with STD benefits before you return to work. Typically the same state law that covers illness or injury or sick leave that renders you unable to work is the same law that provides women with some benefits during their pregnancy and maternity leave (though clearly being pregnant and having a baby is not an illness of any kind!)

Whichever way you receive short-term disability coverage, it’s important to understand that your company is not the organization that determines whether you are eligible for the benefits — the insurance company is who makes that decision. Also keep in mind that many employers and states may require you to have worked at the company for a certain length of time (usually between one and six months) before taking disability leave.

How Much Does Short-Term Disability Cover?

Every plan differs, but be aware that many plans cover less than your full salary while you are using short-term disability coverage. For example, many short-term disability plans that cover pregnancy and the postpartum period only cover 2/3 of your regular salary and may last only 6-8 weeks (depending on whether you deliver your baby naturally or via Caesarean section), far less than the 3 months you might typically hear is awarded for full parental leave for full-time employees at other companies.

Be sure to understand what related health conditions may be covered, if any. For example, pregnancy-induced hypertension or post-partum depression can sometimes be a debilitating medical issue that your employer may need to provide a reasonable accomodation for, even if it is not covered by your insurance policy, per se.

Is My Job Protected While I’m Out On Short-Term Disability?

Short-term disability payments are a financial payment and are not related to whether an employer is required to keep your job. FMLA is the federal law requiring that employers offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying employees (typically those who have worked at least for one year at an employer with more than 50 employers within 75 miles of your workplace).

Certain states also offer maternity leave and pregnancy benefits and protections for private sector employees that you need to understand may offer you some payment or additional benefits.

When Does Your Disability Period Begin?

Typically your disability begins on the day you have a baby. However, in some cases, your pregnancy may cause you to be unable to work and in those cases, your disability can begin during before childbirth if your medical provider document this. In either case, many insurance policies require a waiting period (often called an “elimination period”) in which you will not receive any short-term disability benefit payments. This period is usually specified in your short-term disability plan.

How Does Short Term Disability Work If I Also Qualify for FMLA?

If you qualify for FMLA, most employers will require that you take your FMLA leave concurrently with your short-term disability period. In other words, if you are not working for 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby and you are covered by short-term disability insurance, you will receive benefits during that time and then another 6-4 weeks of unpaid leave under FMLA (depending on whether your short-term disability coverage lasted 6 or 8 weeks).

How Does Other Paid Time Off, Vacation Days and Holiday Time Work With Short-Term Disability and FMLA Leave?

Some companies allow you to use your sick, vacation days and paid time off towards maternity leave. However, this is up to each employer and some even require that you use all of these days before your short-term disability period or FMLA leave time begins.

Can A Father Take Short Term Disability For Maternity Leave?

What Is The Difference Between Paternity, Maternity, and Parental Leave?

How Do I Apply for Short Term Disability Benefits and FMLA Leave?

Are Short Term Disability and Maternity Leave The Same Thing?

Can I Receive Unemployment Compensation If I Receive Unpaid Leave or FMLA?

What Happens to My Benefits While I’m Out on FMLA or Disability Leave?

What experiences or advice do you have with respect to taking short -term disability insurance? Please share in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members.