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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and short-term disability both provide income when an injury prevents you from working, but they have major differences.
This article explains SSDI versus short-term disability insurance including the differences, if the benefits can overlap, and when you may be eligible for either benefit.
Short-term disability insurance is temporary and SSDI is long-term.
Short-term disability insurance provides partial wage replacement when you have an injury or illness that’s not work-related. A work-related injury is usually handled through workers’ compensation. Either your employer provides the private disability insurance or you pay for it yourself.
SSDI is a federal benefit that provides wage replacement when a condition prevents you from working a substantial amount for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. It’s based on taxes you’ve paid into Social Security through work.
This table helps you compare SSDI and temporary disability benefits side by side.
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Get EvaluationShort-term disability insurance replaces 40-70% of your wages when you can’t work for medical reasons. Either you or your employer pays for short-term disability insurance. California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have state disability insurance or state-mandated short-term disability programs.
Rules and benefits depend on your short-term disability policy or state program. The average policy provides benefits for 13-26 weeks, although some pay for up to 52 weeks.
Short-term disability covers illnesses and accidents, surgery and recovery, pregnancy complications, and sometimes maternity leave. Some plans also cover alcohol or drug rehabilitation. Policies usually don’t cover cosmetic procedures, injuries related to a crime, or self-inflicted injuries.
Typically, you get short-term or temporary disability benefits in two weeks or less. It’s meant to provide almost immediate help when you can’t work.
You can apply for SSDI while receiving short-term disability if your doctors expect your condition to keep you from doing substantial work for at least a year. The SSA uses the term Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) to measure substantial work. SGA limits change almost every year. Check the current limit.
The SSDI approval process can take months or even a year or more, and the SSDI waiting period comes after approval, so you want to apply as soon as you qualify. The SSA won’t approve you for SSDI just because you get short-term disability benefits. You must meet the SSA’s strict disability rules, have the work credits, and have medical evidence to prove your impairment.
If you get approved for SSDI while receiving short-term disability, your short-term disability benefits may be reduced or end when you start getting SSDI. If you have dual benefits and are overpaid by the short-term insurance provider, you might have to repay benefits. Read your policy for its specifics and contact the insurer if you have questions.
Talk to your medical providers about the expected duration of your condition. Medical evidence from your doctor’s records must confirm that you won’t be able to earn SGA thresholds for at least a year to get SSDI.
If you have long-term disability insurance through your employer or another private disability insurance policy, that is probably your best next source of help. You may still be able to enroll, but the policy might not cover conditions that you had before enrolling. Ask about the pre-existing condition terms of the policy to see how it fits your situation.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may provide job protection for a few months, but it doesn’t provide monetary benefits.
The details and duration of your condition indicate which program is the best fit for your situation. If you have a work-related injury or became ill because of your work, you likely have a workers’ compensation claim.
If you expect to return to work in weeks or months and you have a short-term disability policy, that policy is usually your best option for short-term help.
If you meet the SSA’s disability rules but don’t have enough work credits for SSDI, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) when your short-term disability ends. SSI is for people with limited income and resources. All earned and unearned income, gifts, and some living arrangements are counted as income or resources so you may not qualify while receiving short-term disability benefits.
Advocate’s disability representatives can help you check SSDI eligibility and determine if SSDI or SSI is the better fit. Our specialists and clinical staff can also help you build a strong disability claim with organized medical evidence, apply, and answer SSA questions. We can also help you appeal a denial or appear at a hearing.
The SSDI process can be complicated and frustrating, especially when you’re not well. Advocate’s help costs nothing upfront and you only pay a fee if you win.
Check your SSDI eligibility in a few minutes.
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Talk with our team about your situation. We'll walk you through what comes next.
Get EvaluationSee what documents you need. We'll help you get everything in place.
Get EvaluationNot sure what that SSA letter means? We can review it with you.
Get EvaluationGet support from a team that handles the paperwork and follows through.
Get EvaluationNo. SSDI is a federal benefit for long-term disability cases. Short-term disability is temporary wage replacement insurance.
Yes, if your condition is expected to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months or result in death. Short-term disability approval doesn’t guarantee SSDI approval.
No, but the short-term disability policy may have a clause about reducing or ending benefits when you start getting SSDI.
If you still cannot work, your other options are private or employer long-term disability, FMLA, or SSDI or SSI if your condition meets SSA rules. Here’s a comprehensive guide for SSDI applications.
No. SSDI is for conditions that prevent substantial work for at least 12 months or are expected to result in death.
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