People applying for short-term disability benefits in Washington State often learn the hard way of the gaping hole in the three government-mandated programs covering most people.
First, the Paid Family Medical Leave program covers non-occupational short-term disabilities for twelve weeks before ending abruptly.
Second, Social Security covers non-occupational temporary disabilities lasting twelve months or more – per their rules
Third, Worker’s Compensation covers temporary disabilities occurring on the job.
What if you are disabled for thirteen to fifty-two weeks from an off-the-job accident or illness? That is where a supplemental insurance policy steps in to save the day if you act in time.
In Washington State, short-term disability insurance has public and private components complementing each other. To keep our analysis simple, we focus on the two primary distinctions.
First, the public short-term disability program in Washington State goes by another name: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). PFML replaces a portion of income when your “serious health condition prevents you from working.”
Apply for short-term disability benefits in Washington State through the PFML web portal, following the steps to avoid unnecessary delays in processing your claim.
How much does Washington State short-term disability pay? The weekly amount is quite generous, but the duration of claim payments is the gaping hole you want to close if possible.
What qualifies you for Washington State short-term disability under the PFML umbrella? The most critical criterion is whether you have coverage.
The government requires employers to collect and disperse SDI premiums for all workers, meaning more people are eligible. However, several groups are exempt from these requirements.
Second, buying short-term disability insurance from a private company operating in Washington State is the only way to extend benefits past the brief twelve-week period for the government-run program.
Applying for short-term disability from a private insurance company in Washington State is a two-step process. To qualify for benefits, you must buy a policy before getting sick, hurt, or pregnant.
Request a short-term disability quote to get the process started. A licensed agent will provide a cost estimate for specific policy features before helping you complete an application to purchase coverage.
Apply for short-term disability benefits by filing a claim with the private insurance company that issued the policy. Download the paperwork and follow the instructions precisely to avoid delays or denials. The form may require three separate signatures.
Short-term disability covers pre-existing conditions after one year if you are healthy enough to purchase the coverage. The new policy application will ask a series of in-depth medical questions.
Therefore, placing coverage in force before becoming sick, hurt, or pregnant is the primary qualification for short-term disability purchased through a private insurance company in Washington State.
How much does short-term disability pay when you purchase a policy through a private insurance company? It depends on your choices when enrolling because better benefits translate into higher premiums.
However, we can boil the answer down to two critical comparison points to keep things simple.
Two temporary disability insurance programs in Washington State fill other holes in Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML). To keep our analysis simple, we focus on the two primary distinctions of these mandatory benefits covering most people.
Social Security provides temporary disability in Washington State for non-occupational accidents and illnesses expected to last at least twelve months. Hence the need to purchase a supplemental policy from a private insurance company.
Apply for temporary disability through Social Security even if you believe you can return to work in the future. To qualify, you do not have a permanent or long-term medical condition. The rule is twelve months, not twelve years, or the remainder of your life.
Most people have Social Security disability coverage because the federal government requires participation. You fund the mandatory premiums through FICA payroll taxes.
Worker’s Compensation insurance provides temporary disability benefits for occupational injuries and illnesses in Washington State. The mandatory coverage kicks in if you hurt yourself while on the job.
Apply for temporary disability through Worker’s Compensation by seeking immediate medical attention and informing your employer immediately. Your doctor will help with the next steps.
Most people have Worker’s Compensation because the Department of Labor and Industries government requires employers to purchase coverage through them or a private carrier. The only possible exceptions are specific independent contractors, real estate agents, gig economy workers, and remote employees.
