How to Claim Short-Term Disability
Short term disability is an insurance policy that covers all your wages or part of your wages when you become temporary disabled due to injuries, pregnancy or serious medical conditions temporary. Usually, short term disability only covers up to 26 weeks annually.
- Obtain the necessary forms from your disability insurance carrier. This is your first step.
- Review the form carefully and fill out the information requested. The forms will request information regarding the nature of your disability, the date you became disabled, your social security number, contact information and information regarding workers compensation liability. The form may also request information regarding automobile insurance coverage.
- Take the form to your employer and ask your employer to fill out the company's portion of the form. The information requested include your weekly earnings, the amount of hours worked, your position, the type of work performed and your last day at work.
- Give the disability form to your medical provider. Your medical provider has to validate the information in order for you to receive short-term disability benefits. The health care provider must include your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history and provide documentation to explain the severity of your limitations. Most health care provide submits their office notes because the office notes will have all the necessary information requested, but some will wait until the insurance carrier request this information.
- Review the form for completeness. Submit the completed disability claim form to your short-term disability insurance carrier. After received, your insurance provider may request the medical records if not attached and review the information to determine eligibility and after eligibility determination issue payment based on contractual obligations.