New messages from Aflac |
View Notifications opens a dialog
Close X dismisses the notification alert
Short-term and long-term disability insurance can help replace your income when you’re hurt or sick and unable to work. However, as the names suggest, they each have different coverage lengths and work in slightly different ways. Short-term disability can help you cover expenses for a temporary period following a sickness or injury, while long-term disability can give you income support for several years. Aflac offers short-term and long-term disability insurance policies through employer plans, which pay cash benefits that can go toward recovery and treatment or everyday bills like electricity and groceries.
Table of Contents
Short-term disability insurance is a plan that provides income assistance when a covered health event puts you out of work for a temporary period of time.1 Typically, cash benefits from short-term disability insurance plans can help you with missed income for up to twelve months, but this depends on the specific company and plan you choose.2
For example, if you were to break your arm and your job requires heavy lifting, it wouldn’t be possible to do your work while recovering. Instead of missing income while you’re healing, you can collect a certain amount of money if you already have a short-term disability insurance plan in place.
Employers that offer their employees short-term disability insurance through payroll deduction may help employees feel safe and protected if an unforeseen incident were to impact their ability to work short-term.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedLong-term disability is a plan offered through your employer that can help provide income support for multiple years if you experience a long-term or permanent illness or health event. This type of plan is much more common if an accident or illness permanently impacts your ability to work.1
If you don’t have a long-term disability plan in place, it may be difficult to balance out the missed income from years of being unable to work. Long-term disability plans are designed to help make those years more financially stable.3
There are a few key differences between short- and long-term disability insurance plans:
| Short-term disability insurance | Long-term disability insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage length | Usually up to about 12 months2 | Years of being unable to work3 |
| Coverage amount | Up to 80% of your income4 | Up to 60% of your income4 |
| Elimination period | Very short1 | A few months1 |
Specific differences depend on the insurer and type of plan. Generally, though, short-term disability replaces more of your income for a shorter period of time, while long-term disability insurance replaces a smaller percentage of your income for a longer time. The elimination period (the time between when you get a plan and when the benefits kick in) tends to be longer for long-term plans.5
The amount of short-term or long-term disability coverage you need depends on a few factors:
Aflac short-term and long-term disability insurance plans come with competitive premiums that can fit most budgets.
Disability insurance can provide peace of mind and financial assistance if you’re unable to work for an extended time. There are benefits to both short-term and long-term disability insurance, and many people opt to get both, especially if offered through an employer benefits program. Regardless of whether you choose both plans or one, it’s important to understand that you have options.
Short-term and long-term disability can both give you added financial security while you recover from an incident that puts you out of work. Aflac offers short-term disability insurance and long-term disability plans that you can get through your employer. If you have further questions about disability insurance, chat with an agent to learn more or get a quote today.
Get Started
Wondering if short-term disability covers mental health? Learn how short-term disability insurance works and whether you can use it for mental health illnesses.
Short-term disability insurance can help protect your income if you’re unable to work. Learn how short-term disability works and what it covers.
Wondering if short-term disability covers mental health? Learn how short-term disability insurance works and whether you can use it for mental health illnesses.
Short-term disability insurance can help protect your income if you’re unable to work. Learn how short-term disability works and what it covers.
1 Rippling People Center - Short-term disability: How it works and qualifications. Updated November 22, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.rippling.com/blog/how-does-short-term-disability-work.
2 Stratus HR - What Qualifies for Short Term Disability: How Does It Work and Who is Eligible? Updated June 3, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://stratus.hr/resources/how-does-short-term-disability-work.
3 TrueNorth - The Importance of Long-Term Disability Insurance for Professionals. Published July 17, 2024. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://truenorthcompanies.com/blog/insurance/the-importance-of-long-term-disability-insurance-for-professionals.aspx.
4 U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability: What’s the Difference? Updated January 31, 2025. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/disability-insurance-elimination-periods/.
5 Policygenius - What are elimination periods in disability insurance?. Updated November 21, 2023. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/disability-insurance-elimination-periods/.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Short-Term Disability, A57600 series: In Arkansas, Policies A57600AR & A57600LBAR. In Delaware, Policies A57600DE & A57600LB. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In New York, Policy NY57600. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK &A57600LBOK. In Oregon, Policies A57600OR & A57600LBOR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A57600PAR &A57600LBPA. In Texas, Policies A57600TX &A57600LBTX. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA &A57600LBVA.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2400203R1
EXP 3/26
