This article is for admins and employees who want to learn about disability insurance coverage.
Disability insurance helps protect your income if you cannot work due to an illness, injury, or medical condition. It replaces part of your paycheck while you recover.
Short-term disability insurance pays you part of your income if you temporarily cannot work after you run out of sick leave.
When benefits are paid
Most plans have a waiting period, which is the number of days you need to be unable to work before you start getting benefits. This waiting period usually lasts 1–7 days after your illness or injury begins. This is also called the elimination period.
You get STD benefits weekly, and they typically last 13–26 weeks.
What it covers
Short-term disability helps you when certain life events keep you from working.
STD usually covers common life events like:
A disabling injury
Note: STD coverage does not typically cover injuries that happen at work.
Prolonged sickness
Giving birth
Long-term disability insurance pays part of your income if you cannot work for an extended time, usually after your short-term disability ends.
When benefits are paid
Most plans have a waiting period, which is the number of days you need to be unable to work before you start getting benefits. This waiting period usually lasts 90-180 days after your illness or injury begins. This is also called the elimination period. If you’re enrolled in both STD and LTD, you typically start getting LTD benefits right after your STD benefits end.
The duration of the LTD benefit depends on the plan. LTD may continue until you:
Go back to work
Are no longer disabled
Reach Social Security retirement age
What it covers
Long-term disability helps you when certain life events keep you from working for an extended time.
Some common life events that LTD usually covers:
Musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders (back pain, osteoarthritis)
Cancer
Accidental injuries
Cardiovascular/circulatory disorders (heart attack, coronary artery disease)
Mental disorder
Global Access admins can view quotes and set up new disability insurance coverage through Gusto anytime. You need to offer medical coverage through Gusto first.
When your company offers disability insurance through Gusto, we automatically enroll all eligible employees. The policy is non-voluntary, meaning the company pays 100% of the premium, and all eligible employees are automatically enrolled. Dependents cannot enroll. Employee pay stubs will not include deductions or employer contributions since contributions are not taxed.
If you already offer disability insurance through a third party, admins can set up payroll deductions, manage leaves, and report benefit payouts.
If your company offers disability insurance through Gusto (including the broker integration), admins and benefits-eligible employees can find their plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage in Gusto.
For Global Access and benefit admins:
To find your plan details:
Go to Benefits.
Choose the plan type—Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability.
Click Plan details.
For employees:
To find your plan details:
Go to Benefits.
Choose the plan type—Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability.
In the Plan name row, click your plan.