Can You Collect Short Term Disability and Social Security?

Navigating disability benefits can be complex for individuals unable to work due to illness or injury. Many wonder if it is possible to receive financial support from multiple sources simultaneously. Understanding how different benefit programs interact and whether receiving one affects eligibility for another is helpful.

Short Term Disability Benefits

Short Term Disability (STD) provides temporary income replacement for individuals who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury. This benefit aims to cover a portion of lost wages, typically ranging from 40% to 70% of pre-disability earnings. Common reasons for receiving STD include recovery from surgery, severe illness, or pregnancy-related conditions.

Benefits are commonly sourced through employer-sponsored plans or private insurance policies purchased by individuals. Some states also mandate temporary disability insurance programs. Eligibility requires being an active employee, having a qualifying medical condition, and satisfying an elimination period, which is a waiting period before benefits begin, typically ranging from 7 to 30 days. The duration of STD benefits is limited, usually lasting from a few weeks to 6 months, though some policies can extend up to a year.

Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits are federal programs managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for individuals with long-term disabilities. Two primary programs exist: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is an earned benefit for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, meaning eligibility depends on a sufficient work history. SSI is a needs-based program providing financial assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history.

The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in any “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA) due to a severe medical condition expected to result in death or last for at least 12 continuous months. For 2025, the monthly SGA limit for non-blind individuals is $1,620, while for blind individuals, it is $2,700. There is a mandatory five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits, meaning payments begin in the sixth full month after the disability onset date.

Coordinating Short Term Disability and Social Security Benefits

Receiving both Short Term Disability (STD) and Social Security Disability benefits simultaneously is often possible, but it typically involves careful coordination between the different programs. Many STD insurance policies are designed to act as a bridge, providing income during the initial period of disability, including the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to begin. This temporary support can be crucial while an individual awaits a determination from the Social Security Administration.

STD benefits can influence Social Security Disability benefits, particularly for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as SSI is a needs-based program sensitive to all sources of income. Some private disability policies may include clauses that allow for reduction or offset of benefits if other disability payments, such as SSDI, are received. This ensures that the combined benefits do not exceed a certain percentage of pre-disability earnings.

Many STD policies explicitly require claimants to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, especially SSDI, as a condition for continuing to receive STD payments. If SSDI is approved, the STD benefits may be reduced, terminated, or the policy might require repayment of some STD funds already received. This repayment clause, often called a reimbursement provision, ensures that the insurer recoups payments made for the period that SSDI also covers. The coordination aims to prevent individuals from receiving more than their pre-disability income from combined sources.

Understanding the specific terms of any STD policy is important, as provisions vary significantly between plans and providers. It is important to notify both the STD provider and the Social Security Administration about any other benefits being received or applied for. Proper communication helps ensure compliance with policy terms and federal regulations, preventing potential overpayments or disruptions in benefits. While it is possible to receive both, the interaction is often structured to integrate these benefits rather than allowing full, independent collection of each.