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What is Partial and Short Term Disability?

This type of payment was created to cover workers who are unable to continue working a full time schedule because of being injured, incapacitated, pregnant or sick. It kicks in when a person’s capacity is diminished and they cannot earn a full time income.

Short term disability where a person is not able to work full time but is expected to be able to do so in the near future. These cases may include someone who breaks a bone in their limb or a person who is pregnant.

About 42+ million Americans live with a disability. Some of these cases are partial or short term disability. According to the Pew Research Center, the most recent data suggest that 46% of disabilities belong to people ages 75 and older.

Does Social Security Cover Partial or Short Term Disability?

The Social Security Administration does not cover partial or short term disability. These are covered under policies that your employer has or policies that you acquired independently.

People who are injured on-the-job are entitled to compensation from their employer. Laws exist which require a business to have an insurance policy to cover job-related injuries for employees.

When a doctor finds that a patient’s damage impairs 25% to 50% of their physical or mental abilities, the patient is usually classified as having a partial impairment. Many different medical disorders can lead to partial disability, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, losing a body part, hearing loss, knee injuries, nerve damage, PTSD, and loss of vision in one eye.

Partial and Short Term Disability Statistics

• One in four people will miss at least a year of work due to short-term injury or illness before the age of retirement.
• Every year around 5% of the workforce will experience an illness or injury which requires coverage to kick in.
• The most common reason short-term disability is required is pregnancy. These cases make up roughly 22% of claims.
• The second most common reason a person will claim short-term disability is musculoskeletal related. These claims make up roughly 18% of the overall number.

Ask Your Employer and Take Action

Don’t hesitate to ask your employer if you are covered for short-term disability. You have a right to know. Also, it never hurts to get quotes for this type of coverage from an independent provider. When it comes to financial stability, a disability policy is always a positive thing to have.