Short-Term Disability Insurance Guide for Income Protection (2026)
Understand short-term disability insurance: benefit duration, coverage triggers, premium cost, and short-term income protection.
Summary
Short-term disability covers temporary illness. This guide explains benefit duration, triggers, premium, and coverage selection.
Key Steps
- 1Understand benefit duration: typically 3-6 months, extends through illness recovery.
- 2Identify coverage triggers: non-work illness, injury, maternity leave qualify.
- 3Calculate premium: employer-sponsored often free, individual $30-$100/month.
- 4Check replacement ratio: typically 60-70% of pre-disability income.
- 5Coordinate with sick leave: short-term disability after sick leave exhausted.