Most people know that employer-provided disability insurance exists. Others know that the American government provides disability insurance benefits through the Social Security Administration Department.
If you are a freelancer or small business owner, you are your employer. Thus, it’s up to you to obtain a policy for yourself and your employees, if any.
A third option for obtaining disability insurance exists – private.
The steps to take to get disability insurance vary depending on the type. We offer some guidelines for the three options.
1. Employer-Provided Disability Insurance
Employers who offer their workers a benefits package include disability insurance. In some states, it’s a mandate.
The best way to find out how to obtain it is to speak with a representative from the human resources department. They have the responsibility of implementing, managing and administering the program.
Your goal is to find out how much it costs, what it covers, and the employer’s definition of disability. Since the employer becomes responsible for paying the benefits, they ensure that the employee’s claim qualifies.
The process is similar to worker’s compensation. The employee goes through a series of medical exams. They may also speak with the company’s legal representatives.
Employer-provided insurance for disability covers 60% of the employee’s salary on average. Those who need more income covered can take a look at a private policy.
2. Private Disability Insurance
Disability insurance protects the individual against income loss if they cannot work.
A private policy has several variations. When you speak with a representative, discuss your expectations, income, and other concerns. Find out how the policy defines disability. If you need to file a claim, it’s important to ensure that you’re paying for a policy that covers your condition.
A private policy covers between 60% to 80% of the policyholder’s income. In some cases, if you take a lower-paying job, the policy covers the difference between your original income and the new one.
Physicians can experience a disability that prevents them from working just like everyone else. In many cases, doctors have more interests that they need to protect. If you own your medical practice and have employees, doctors need to protect both.
Disability insurance helps them stay on top of their finances while they figure out if they can return to work or not.
Individuals can obtain the benefits on a short- or long-term basis. Sometimes, a disability is short-term. Examples include:
- Surgery
- Injury from an accident
- Childbirth
- Severe illness
Long-term disability conditions include:
- Brain injuries
- Chronic back pain
- Paralysis
Most doctors work until the age of 65. The average physician salary ranges from $68,000 to $278,000. In case of a disability, that’s a lot of income to protect. So a private policy makes the most sense. Physicians Thrive offers doctors a complete guide for disability insurance.
3. Social Security Administration Disability Insurance
Individuals who receive a W2 from their employer and a benefits package usually pay into social security. When they retire, the employee receives a letter stating the benefit amount that they can claim.
If an individual experiences a disability that prevents them from returning to work, they can apply to receive Social Security disability benefits.
It’s worth knowing that this process is long and arduous. The Social Security Department representatives put each application through a thorough background check.
When you apply for the benefits, fill out the application completely. Gather your paperwork and medical records. Submit all relevant information with the application.
It’s not uncommon for a benefits application to receive a rejection on the first try. Individuals who qualify for the benefits but have trouble obtaining them can seek legal support. Legal professionals have a staff who reviews their client’s applications.
In addition, they understand the process. Therefore, their team completes the paperwork and attaches all medical proof.
Conclusion
Once an individual becomes a high-income earner, gets married, and has children, they have several responsibilities. If their household depends on their income, they have to protect it, their health, and their family.
Three disability insurance sources exist. The insurance that each individual can obtain depends on their employment status. Employees pay into employer-provided and Social Security disability benefits. High-income earners and self-employed individuals can obtain a private policy to protect themselves, their income, and other interests.
