What is the typical waiting period for short-term disability benefits to begin?

The typical waiting period for short-term disability benefits to begin usually falls within the range of 7-14 days. This period is designed to provide a threshold after which benefits will be paid, allowing time for the employee to recover from an illness or injury without immediately relying on short-term disability coverage.

Short-term disability insurance is intended to provide temporary income replacement for individuals who are unable to work due to medical reasons. The waiting period, also known as the elimination period, is crucial because it helps insurers manage costs associated with small, temporary disabilities that may not require extensive coverage.

A waiting period of 7-14 days strikes a balance, ensuring that the most common situations requiring short-term disability benefits are covered promptly, while also discouraging the use of these benefits for very short-term or minor conditions that do not require extensive time off from work. Longer waiting periods, such as those of 15-30 days or 60 days, may push individuals to use their sick leave or personal time off before they can receive short-term disability benefits, thereby reducing the immediate financial support that short-term disability is designed to provide.