Short Term Disability Leave- The Basics

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on the basics of short-term disability benefits. Specifically, how these benefits relate to people living with cancer. Disability benefits are complex, so check with your healthcare team to determine who can provide expert guidance on applying for benefits.

Understanding Short-Term Disability Benefits

Short-term disability (STD) insurance is a benefit that can be very helpful when you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. This type of insurance typically provides payments to replace a portion of your income for a limited time—usually 3 to 6 months. However, the amount you receive might not be the same as your usual paycheck. The payments are often a percentage of your salary.

Many employers offer short-term disability benefits to their employees, but not every employer is required to provide it. In fact, only five states—New Jersey, California, Hawaii, New York, and Rhode Island—require employers with more than 15 employees to offer this benefit. If you live in one of these states, you can rest easy knowing your employer must offer you STD benefits.

If your employer does not provide this benefit, you do have options. You can buy a short-term disability plan on your own. However, purchasing a private policy can be expensive, so it’s important to weigh the cost. You should also discuss your options with your healthcare team to decide whether this is the best choice for your situation.

Keep in mind, many plans have a waiting period before you start receiving payments. This means your first payment may be delayed, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Does a Cancer Diagnosis Count as a “Disability”?

Yes, a cancer diagnosis usually counts as a disability for the purposes of short-term disability insurance. In most cases, you can qualify for disability benefits if you have an injury or illness—like cancer—that prevents you from performing your job. However, each disability insurance policy is different, so it’s important to check the details of your employer’s policy.

To find out for sure, speak with your human resources (HR) representative. They are often the best resource when it comes to understanding your company’s disability benefits. Some HR departments even have specialists who focus on helping employees with disability claims. They can help guide you through the process and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork.

It’s also a good idea to check with your doctor or cancer treatment team. They can provide the documentation you need to show that you are unable to work due to your illness. This documentation may be required when you apply for benefits.

Do You Need Short-Term Disability for Cancer Treatment?

Whether or not you need short-term disability depends on your cancer treatment plan. Some cancer treatments are less invasive and require only a short recovery time. If you have enough paid time off (PTO) or sick leave, you may not need to apply for short-term disability. However, even with PTO or sick leave, cancer treatment is rarely something you can complete in just one day. It often involves multiple appointments, lengthy treatments, and a longer recovery time.

If your treatment includes chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, it is likely that you will need more time off work than PTO will cover. In these cases, it’s a good idea to apply for short-term disability. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause side effects that leave you feeling exhausted or too ill to work for extended periods. You may need time to rest, recover, and focus on your health.

In addition, unless you have an extremely flexible employer, applying for short-term disability could be the best way to ensure you have financial support during your treatment. Keep in mind that your cancer treatment team can give you realistic expectations for recovery times, so be sure to talk to them about your needs before making a decision.

How Do I Apply for Short-Term Disability?

The application process for short-term disability usually starts by contacting your employer’s human resources (HR) department. They will guide you through the paperwork and help you understand what’s needed. In most cases, you will need to fill out forms that ask for personal information about your illness or injury. These forms might also require input from your cancer treatment team.

Your cancer doctors or specialists will likely need to provide medical documentation to confirm that you are unable to work. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about this step—many cancer patients get help from their treatment teams when completing these forms. In fact, doctors often assist patients in filling out the necessary paperwork to make sure their claims are processed smoothly.

As you complete the application, remember that it’s important to stay organized and follow any instructions carefully. Missing a step or forgetting a form could delay the process, which may cause a delay in receiving payments. If you have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your HR department. They are there to help you and want to make sure you receive the financial support you need during your treatment.

Short-term disability benefits are an important safety net when you’re undergoing treatment for cancer. With the right paperwork and support from your HR team and doctors, you can make sure you maintain income during this difficult time.

State links:

New Jersey: Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance (nj.gov)

California: State Disability Insurance (ca.gov)

Hawaii: Disability Compensation Division | About Temporary Disability Insurance (hawaii.gov)

New York: https://www.wcb.ny.gov/

Rhode Island: Temporary Disability / Caregiver Insurance- Rhode Island -Department of Labor and Training

Links for additional information:

Short-Term Disability: What Every Employee Should Know | The Muse

Filing for Disability Due to Cancer | Cancer and Careers

I hope this information is helpful.  If you would like to continue this conversation, please click on the Subscribe button at the top of the Blog page. I would love to hear your comments as well as resources that have worked for you. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Keeping you in my prayers,

Jackie

For introductory information and to understand the mission of this blog, please see Introduction – Living with cancer take my hand