How much does short-term disability insurance pay in the event of a valid claim? The answer is different for every person and policy.
Some people miss only two weeks of work, while others are out for two years or longer. Others earn more money while working and have a higher payout.
Plus, every plan has at least three features that factor into the equation that decides the weekly check amount. Learn how they work and what they mean.
Play around with our short-term disability payout calculator to get a quick estimate of the amount of money you might receive each week and overall.
Disclaimer: only your insurance provider can determine claim amounts.
Forecasting Short-Term Disability Payments
Three variables go into the calculation of short-term disability payment amounts. Each person will get a different answer to how much money they might get because everyone has unique inputs going into the equation.
Have a copy of your policy at your side or research online to find the correct inputs for each of these critical elements. Filing a claim form for benefits is the only reliable method to arrive at the exact answer
Elimination Period
The policy elimination (waiting) period is the first variable in your short-term disability pay calculation. The time before benefits start impacts how much cash you might receive in total.
The waiting period dictates how long you must be out of work before the policy begins to support claims. For example, this chart depicts the number of weeks a plan may support claims for a person unable to work for four weeks.
| Elimination Period | Claims Supported |
|---|---|
| 7 day | 3 weeks |
| 14 day | 2 weeks |
| 30 day | 0 weeks |
| 60 day | 0 weeks |
Benefit Period
The policy benefit period is the second variable in your short-term disability pay calculation. The length of time the policy supports claims while you cannot work due to a covered medical condition also determines how much money you could receive in total.
This factor comes into play if your disability lasts longer than the benefit period. For example, this chart depicts the number of months a policy may support claims for a person unable to work for 12 months after satisfying the waiting period.
| Benefit Period | Months Supported |
|---|---|
| 3 Months | 3 |
| 6 Months | 6 |
| 12 Months | 12 |
| 24 Months | 12 |
Pay Percentage
The short-term disability pay percentage is the most confusing variable in the calculation. Your policy will have two components defining the size of each check you get weekly – while the money comes in.
- A percentage ceiling ranging from 50% to 90% of income
- A hard dollar limit ranging from $170 to $1,500 per week
For example, suppose you earn $52,000 annually or $1,000 weekly and work in a state with a mandated program. The percent of the pre-disability earnings you might receive could vary widely, as each program has unique rules.
| State | Max% | Weekly Limit* | Actual % |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 55% | $1,357 | 55% |
| Hawaii | 58% | $640 | 58% |
| Massachusetts | 80% | $850 | 71% |
| New Jersey | 85% | $881 | 85% |
| New York | 50% | $170 | 17% |
| Rhode Island | 60% | $887 | 60% |
| Washington | 90% | $232 | 23% |
Short-Term Disability Pay Calculator
Short-Term Disability Pay FAQ
Scan through this list of frequently asked questions about short-term disability payout calculations. Gain a better understanding of the formulas determining how much money you might get while you cannot work – provided that you have coverage in force.