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Know before you need

Disability insurance may be available more often than you might realize. Whether you're planning for the arrival of a new baby, have a scheduled medical procedure or find yourself facing an unexpected illness or injury, these benefits help replace part of your income when a covered condition prevents you from working.

Understanding disability insurance basics

What is disability?

A disability is typically defined by your insurance carrier as a physical or mental condition, caused by illness or injury, which keeps a person from doing the main duties of their job. You'll want to check out the definition of disability in your policy, which you can get from your employer’s benefits department.

 

Most people with disability insurance receive it through their employer. These plans, known as employer or group disability insurance, can offer two types of benefits based on how long an injury or illness lasts.

 

  • Feeling excited. Cheerful pregnant woman sitting in her bed leaning on her pillow and reding a book.

    Short-term disability insurance

    Protects you for a short duration

  • 013706

    Long-term disability insurance

    Protects you for a longer duration

Comparing group disability insurance protection

Below is a quick comparison between typical group short‑term disability and long‑term disability insurance plans. Benefit plans vary greatly. Reach out to your employer’s human resources department to request benefit details.

 Short-term disability (STD)insuranceLong-term disability (LTD) insurance
When coverage starts
(after Elimination period)		1-30 days after you’re unable to work

 

90-180 days after you’re unable to work
How long your benefit can last (Benefit period)Injury or illness: 90-180 days
Maternity
  • Six weeks (standard delivery)
  • Eight weeks (C-section)
The benefit ends either when:
  • The and you no longer meet new criteria.
  • You reach normal retirement age based on your age when you became disabled.
  • Your policy includes special limits or maximum benefit period that apply.
Your benefit amount60-80% of pre-disability income60-80% of pre-disability income; Other income benefits may reduce the benefit such as salary continuation, state disability, social security disability, etc.
Payment frequencyWeeklyMonthly
Proof of disabilityRequires medical evidence certifying that you are unable to perform your job duties due to the disability.Requires medical evidence certifying that you are unable to perform your job or occupation due to your disability.
 

Change of Definition

In long‑term disability insurance, a change of definition occurs after a period specified in your policy. At that point, the definition of disability shifts from “own occupation” — meaning you are unable to perform your occupation you were performing just before disability began (often as it exists in the national economy, not how your employer customizes it) — to “any occupation,” meaning you are unable to work in any job for which you are reasonably suited based on your education, training, or experience, or as defined in the national economy.

Disability insurance graphic

What does disability insurance cover?

Illness, injury or a known condition like pregnancy can make you unable to work, and these situations can happen to anyone. Understanding the kinds of health conditions that are most commonly covered gives you a clearer idea of how disability insurance may protect you in the future.

Leading causes of disability claims

Based on data from the Social Security Administration, the conditions below represent the most common reasons people receive disability benefits. These percentages reflect illness‑related disabilities and do not include pregnancy or specific injury-related claims.

disability-chart
  30.5% - Musculoskeletal Systems & Connective Tissue
  14.9% - Mood disorders
   9.3% - Nervous system & sense organs
   8.3% - Circulatory systems
   4.8% - Schizophrenic & other psychotic disorders
   4.1% - Intellectual disability
   4.0% - Injuries
   3.9% - Other mental disorders
   3.4% - Organic mental disorders
   3.3% - Endocrine disorders

Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2024
(released December 2025); https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/#:~:text=Awards%20to%20disabled%20workers%20(594%2C749,/about/glossary.html.

Other types of benefit considerations

The federal government and many states provide different types of financial protection in the event you are unable to work due to injury or illness. While helpful, they each have limits. This is not an exhaustive list of benefits available. Consult your employer or insurance carrier for specific details.

  • Family and Medical Leave Act
    (FMLA)

    FMLA is a federal program that allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for certain family and medical reasons. In some situations, employees can take FMLA leave intermittently. Your employer can explain how FMLA leave works at your company and how it applies to your specific disability and benefits. You can also find more information about FMLA on the Department of Labor website.

  • State Paid Family Leave
    (PFML)

    offer paid family and medical leave programs that provide partial wage replacement when workers need time off for major life events, such as caring for a new child, supporting a seriously ill family member or managing their own health condition. These programs operate separately from federal FMLA, which guarantees job protection but does not include pay. Eligibility, benefit amounts and leave duration vary by state.

     

    Active programs as of Apr 2026: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington.

  • State Disability insurance
    (SDI)

    SDI is a state-based program that provides short-term disability benefits to workers who can’t work due to a nonwork-related injury, sickness or medical condition. Sometimes called temporary disability insurance (TDI), these programs are funded by payroll taxes, which may be paid by the employee, employer or both. SDI programs are only offered in  and each state has its own rules regarding who qualifies and what benefits are available.

     

    Five U.S. states have state-mandated short-term disability programs that provide partial income replacement for non-work-related illnesses, injuries, or pregnancies: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

  • Workers’ compensation

    Workers’ Compensation is a state-required insurance program designed to support employees who are injured or become ill because of their job. It helps cover medical care, rehabilitation and a portion of lost wages while you recover. Your employer pays for this coverage. Workers’ compensation benefits generally are not taxable when they’re paid for a work-related injury or illness.

  • Social Security Disability Insurance
    (SSDI)

    The U.S. Social Security Administration also offers disability insurance. SSDI is a federal program designed for people who have worked long enough to qualify for benefits. If approved, you’ll receive monthly cash payments and Medicare based on your earning record on file with the Social Security Administration.

     

    Five U.S. states have state-mandated short-term disability programs that provide partial income replacement for non-work-related illnesses, injuries, or pregnancies: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

    For more information, please visit thier website: The U.S. Social Security Administration

Have OneAmerica Financial short- or long-term disability protection through your employer and need to file a claim? 

Access our online claims page.

OneAmerica Financial® is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica Financial. Products issued and underwritten by American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), Indianapolis, IN, a OneAmerica Financial company.