Commercial disability insurance, also known as private disability insurance, is a type of coverage you can obtain to protect yourself financially if you’re ever disabled and can’t work. Many employers offer this kind of coverage, but you can go out and get a policy on your own, as well.
Social Security Disability, on the other hand, is a federal program that will provide you with cash benefits if you’ve been disabled and left unable to work for twelve months or longer.
About Commercial Disability Insurance
The two main types of commercial disability insurance are as follows:
- Short-term disability coverage
- Long-term disability coverage
Short-term coverage generally covers you financially for up to six months. This sort of coverage is often used to cover things like broken bones, illnesses, and other temporary disabilities.
Long-term disability coverage covers six months and up, until the policy term ends. This coverage is used to pay you for a longer-lasting or permanent disability. Some long-term policies will cover you for several years or even for a lifetime.
About Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability is a federal program designed to provide income to those who have a legitimate disability that keeps them from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. It can be a very difficult program to qualify for, but once you’re approved, you can receive these benefits for life.
How Do SSD and Private Disability Insurance Differ?
The difference between these two types of insurance programs may seem complicated. Disability attorneys will be able to help you understand the differences, and we can help you determine whether your injury qualifies you to obtain benefits from one or both of these programs.
You can actually receive both types of benefits at the same time. Here are the main differences between the two programs:
- Social Security Disability is difficult to obtain; many people’s disabilities will not qualify them to collect benefits. With private insurance coverage, your policy will most likely cover any type of disability, regardless of severity and for varying lengths of time.
- With SSD, you aren’t permitted to receive benefits and continue to work. If you say you’re disabled, you better truly be disabled and unable to work at all. There are exceptions, and part-time work can be permitted if you’re making less than a certain amount of money.
- With a commercial disability policy, you may still be able to work a different job and obtain benefits because you can no longer work certain types of jobs due to your disability. The policy will lay out the specifics.
Connect with a Los Angeles Disability Lawyer
If you signed up for long- or short-term disability coverage, you expect to receive the benefits owed to you. Unfortunately, insurance companies will try to avoid paying on a disability claim if they can. They will make the process difficult, and they will delay payments in the hope that you’ll give up.
At Haffner Law, we believe the benefits you paid for should be there when you need them. When you’ve been disabled, you need your benefits in a timely manner to protect yourself financially. Tell us about your case during a free consultation. Call 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637) or fill out the form below to get started.
(This is an attorney advertisement by Joshua Haffner)
