Short Term Disability by State: Where It’s Mandatory

Short-term disability insurance replaces part of your paycheck when illness, injury, or pregnancy keeps you from working. But here’s the catch — only a handful of states require this coverage.

If you live or work in one of those states, you’re automatically enrolled through payroll deductions. If not, you’ll need to explore private insurance, employer programs, or public safety nets to stay afloat.

This guide explains:

Which states have mandatory short-term disability programs

• How much do they pay
• What are your options if your state doesn’t

Because when you’re suddenly unable to work, understanding your rights — and your alternatives — can make all the difference.

📍 States That Require Short-Term Disability Coverage

Only seven states and one U.S. territory currently require short-term disability insurance for most employees. A few others (like Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington) run Paid Family & Medical Leave programs that serve a similar purpose.

🧭 Tip: Coverage depends on where you work, not where you live.

State / Territory	Program Type	% of Wages	Weekly Max
California	State Disability Insurance (SDI)	60%	$1,300
Connecticut	Paid Leave Program	Up to 95%	$900
Colorado	FAMLI Program	Varies	$1,100
Delaware	Family & Medical Leave Insurance	Up to 80%	$900
District of Columbia	DC Paid Family Leave	90%	$1,190
Hawaii	Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)	58%	$650
Massachusetts	Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)	Varies	$850
Minnesota	Paid Family & Medical Leave	Up to 90%	$1,423
New Jersey	Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB)	85%	$903
New York	Disability Benefits Law (DBL)	50%	$170
Oregon	Paid Leave Oregon	Up to 96%	$1,636
Rhode Island	Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)	60%	$887
Puerto Rico	Temporary Disability Benefits	55%	$746
Washington	Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)	Varies	$1,000

🚫 States Without a Mandatory Short-Term Disability Program

The majority of American workers in 41 states plus D.C. do not have access to a public short-term disability program.

That means if you become temporarily disabled, you won’t receive state-issued income benefits unless your employer offers private coverage.

Regions & States:

• South & Midwest: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, WV, WI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, ND, NE, OH, SD
• West: AK, AZ, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY
• Northeast & Mid Atlantic: ME, MD, NH, PA, VA, VT

🔗 Explore your state: Learn what programs exist in your area — from Medicaid and TANF to employer benefits — in our detailed state guides: Arizona | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Louisiana | Maryland | Michigan | Missouri | Ohio | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Wisconsin

🧭 What If Your State Doesn’t Offer Short-Term Disability?

If your state doesn’t have a mandatory program, you still have several ways to protect your income:

• 🛟 Check Employer Coverage: Many large employers — hospitals, universities, and government agencies — offer short-term disability insurance as part of their benefits package.
• 💼 Apply for State Safety Nets: Programs like TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and LIHEAP can help with basic expenses while you recover. Eligibility is based on your expected current year income, not last year’s.
• 🧩 Explore Federal Programs: If your condition lasts longer than one year, apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). For on-the-job injuries, file a Workers’ Compensation claim.
• 🧠 Plan for the Future: Once you recover, consider enrolling in a private short-term disability plan to protect your income before another health event occurs.

🕰️ Long Term Disability Coverage Nationwide

No state requires long-term disability insurance, but Social Security provides a limited safety net through two federal programs:

Program	Average Monthly Benefit	Description
SSDI	$1,500	For workers with a long-term medical condition expected to last ≥1 year.
SSI	$800	For individuals with low income and limited resources.

Because these benefits are modest, many people supplement them with private long-term disability insurance or employer-sponsored plans.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Only seven states and one territory require short-term disability coverage.
• Your eligibility depends on where you work, not where you live.
• Workers in other states can still find support through employer benefits and public safety nets.
• Long-term disability is covered federally through SSDI and SSI, but benefits are limited.
• GFB offers state-by-state guides to help you navigate your options.

🔍 Find Your State Guide

Choose your state below to learn about short-term disability, job protection, and income support programs where you live.

Arizona | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Louisiana | Maryland | Michigan | Missouri | Ohio | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Wisconsin

🏠 About Growing Family Benefits

Growing Family Benefits helps families understand how to replace income during medical leave, pregnancy, or recovery.

Our mission is to make disability and family leave programs — federal, state, and employer-based — clear, accessible, and actionable for every household.

❓ FAQ About State Disability Programs

1. Which states have mandatory short-term disability programs? As of 2025, only seven states and one U.S. territory require short-term disability coverage: California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, plus Puerto Rico. Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington also operate Paid Family and Medical Leave programs that provide similar income replacement benefits.
2. Does short-term disability depend on where I live or where I work? Eligibility depends on where you work, not where you live. If your employer’s location is in a state with a mandatory program, payroll deductions automatically fund your coverage — even if you live across state lines.
3. What if my state doesn’t offer short-term disability? You can still find support through employer-sponsored disability insurance, private policies, and state or federal safety nets, such as Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, or SSDI. Your state’s GFB guide explains every available option in detail.
4. Does any state require long-term disability insurance? No. Long-term disability coverage is not mandatory in any state. Instead, federal programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offer limited financial assistance for individuals with long-term conditions.
5. How much does short-term disability pay? Benefit amounts vary by state. Most programs replace 50%–95% of your regular wages, up to a weekly maximum set by law. For example, California’s maximum weekly benefit is about $1,300, while New York caps payments at $170 per week.