Navigating the world of insurance can be daunting. Here at Aflac, we want to help with any barriers in the way of getting the support you need. First, we'd like to help you understand the difference between short-term and long-term disability.
Short and long-term disability insurance can be very helpful depending on the situation you find yourself in. However, they serve specific purposes and have different coverage lengths. Our short-term disability insurance and long-term disability insurance is only offered through your employer. However, our supplemental plans like cancer insurance and critical illness insurance can be purchased directly through Aflac. These plans pay cash benefits directly to you (unless otherwise assigned) that can go toward recovery and treatment or everyday bills like electricity and groceries.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with affordable coverage from Aflac.
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 accident were to strike and impact their ability to work short-term.
On the other hand, long-term disability which is only offered through your employer, 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.3
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.4
There are a few key differences that set short and long-term disability plans apart:
Now that you’ve explored the differences between short and long-term disability insurance, you may have a better idea of which one will be more helpful for your current needs. If you’re still unsure or have further questions, we recommend scheduling a chat with an agent.
Regardless of what you decide, it’s important to note that you have options. Suppose you have a medical history that points to a potential long-term cancer diagnosis or a critical illness. In that case, there may be alternative routes that provide you with better coverage.
However, if you would like to proactively explore getting a short-term disability or long-term disability plan, we recommend starting the conversation with your employer if it’s not already offered. We are always here to answer any additional questions you may have.
However, we do offer these products on an individual basis:
To speak with a sales agent, please call:
(855) 910-9153.
1-2 Investopedia - The 4 Best Short-Term Disability Insurance of 2022. Updated May 10, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/best-short-term-disability-insurance-5072040. Accessed Jun 1, 2022.
3-4 Investopedia - The 5 Best Long-Term Disability Insurance of 2022. Updated Feb 23, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/best-long-term-disability-insurance-5072053. Accessed Jun 1, 2022.
5-6, 8 Ramsey Solutions- What Is Disability Insurance and Do You Need It. Updated Sep 27, 2021. https://www.ramseysolutions.com/insurance/disability-insurance. Accessed Jun 1, 2022.
7 Investopedia - What is an elimination period. Updated Sep 21, 2021. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/09/elimination-period.asp. Accessed Jun 1, 2022.
Short-Term Disability (57600 series) - In Arkansas, Policies A57600AR & A57600LBAR. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In New York, Policy NY57600. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK & A57600LBOK. In Oregon, Policies A57600OR & A57600LBOR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A57600PA & A57600LBPA. In Texas, Policies A57600TX & A57600LBTX. In Virginia, Policies A57600VA & A57600LBVA.
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Plans and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact plans and riders for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.
Aflac insurance coverage is underwritten by Aflac. In New York, coverage underwritten by Aflac New York.
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