Florida Short Term Disability Attorney

Tirelessly Advocating to Get Our Clients the Benefits They Deserve

When someone suffers an injury or medical condition that prevents them from working, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may provide disability benefits. However, this is not always the case. Individuals may not qualify due to work credit requirements and other eligibility issues. In these cases, having disability insurance can prove invaluable — but problems can still arise if you’re refused benefits. Fortunately, a short-term disability lawyer in Florida may be able to assist.

At The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey, we’ve advocated for injured and disabled American workers for years. When you take the proactive step of securing disability insurance coverage — whether through an employer or private insurance companies — you expect to receive benefits when needed. Unfortunately, insurance providers are often more focused on profit. This can lead to unfair disability determinations that leave individuals wondering how to move forward.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. Our Florida short-term disability lawyers will review your case and help you understand your options. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Who Qualifies for Short-Term Disability Benefits?

When someone files a disability claim with the Social Security Administration, there are specific requirements that they must meet. However, things are a bit different when it comes to short-term disability insurance. That’s because short-term disability (STD) coverage is not guaranteed under the law. Rather, these are insurance policies offered by private companies. Many employers offer this coverage to their employees, and freelance contractors can purchase coverage independently.

This means the primary requirement for a short-term disability benefit is to have an insurance policy. Of course, this is far from the only requirement. Every insurance company will have its own list of eligibility criteria and rules that must be followed. In most cases, a policyholder must have an injury or medical condition that will prevent them from working for a predetermined amount of time — typically ranging from a few weeks up to a year.

Since these disability benefits are provided by private insurers, it’s also important for employees to keep up with their premium payments. If they do this and meet other eligibility requirements — including the types of injuries and conditions that qualify — they should be approved for disability benefits. Unfortunately, this isn’t always how things work out. If an insurer has denied you, it’s critical that you speak with a short-term disability attorney in Florida.

Can You Qualify for Both Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits?

When someone suffers an injury or serious illness, they often expect that they’ll have to choose between disability benefits. In many cases, this isn’t true. In fact, some long-term disability (LTD) benefits won’t even kick in until a person has exhausted their short-term disability insurance. However, this doesn’t mean you should forego LTD benefits. The unfortunate truth is that long-term disability benefits — even those related to permanent disabilities — often don’t go into effect for months.

For instance, a typical LTD insurance policy may not start paying out until a person has been out of work for 90 days. This means that individuals with long-term disabilities can benefit from short-term coverage — because these benefits can start paying out within weeks. Of course, this is only the case if your claim isn’t denied. If you’re having trouble securing the benefits you rightfully deserve, contact our short-term disability lawyers in Florida today.

We’ll help you understand your options.

What Are Alternatives to Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits?

If you have a serious illness, injury, or another disabling condition, short-term and long-term disability benefits may not be your only option. This is very fortunate — particularly among those who don’t have LTD or STD benefits. However, keep in mind that the application process can still be difficult — and your chances of approval will depend upon your medical information and other eligibility requirements. Here are the options available to those who can’t work and who may qualify under Social Security Disability programs:

Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)

If your injury or health condition is expected to last at least a year or result in death, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI benefits are available for those who meet certain work credit requirements. Like short-term disability benefits, this program will cover a portion of your lost wages. However, STD benefits are not meant to last long. If you’re likely to recover from your injury or medical condition within a year, it’s unlikely that you’ll qualify for SSDI benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The Social Security Administration also provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is a program that offers certain individuals — such as those who are blind, disabled, or elderly — a source of income if they’re unable to engage in substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months. Unlike the SSDI program, SSI benefits are based on economic need. If you’re not low-income, there’s a good chance that you may not qualify.

Contact Our Florida Short-Term Disability Lawyers Today

When someone suffers an injury or is facing a debilitating health condition, it’s essential to understand that they have options available. For a work-related injury, workers’ compensation benefits may be available. If they meet the requirements laid out by the SSA, Social Security Disability Insurance may kick in. If none of these options exist and you’re required to seek short-term disability benefits, it’s important that you know how to handle the process. A legal professional can help.

At The Law Office of Nancy L. Cavey, our legal team has seen far too many people wrongfully denied the benefits they were eligible for. This stems back to childhood for some of our attorneys — who had to watch their parents fight to secure benefits they rightfully deserved. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re eligible for disability income, we’ll do everything possible to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Contact us at (727) 477-3263 to schedule your free case review.

Our short-term disability lawyers in Florida are ready to assist.