Short Term Disability (STD)

Your workplace Policy will most often provide Short Term Disability coverage for illnesses or injury at the outset of your disability.  These benefits are sometimes paid by an insurer but are often paid by your Employer directly.  Even if they are paid by the Employer, often these claims are processed, or administered by an insurer – or third-party company hired to administer your claim.  In fact, the insurance company who is responsible for the payment of LTD payments is often involved in the STD application which can create an inherent conflict of interest.  

Even though an STD payment period is short, the evidence and information that form part of the claim can have a lasting effect on an eventual LTD claim, or dispute. The STD periods can vary in length depending on your Policy. Most often STD periods are 26 weeks, but it’s not uncommon to see STD periods of 17 weeks and 52 weeks. Being approved or denied STD benefits does not automatically mean your LTD claim will also be approved or denied. It’s important to seek out advice on your claim as early as possible to provide you the best chance of success.