What is Temporary Disability?

Disability can be defined as a mental or physical limitation or inability. Generally, when a person is disabled she cannot do things that normal people can do, such as see or walk. Temporary disability refers to such instances when the problem will eventually be cured or reversed. Temporary disability can also refer to the benefits a person receives when such an inability prevents her from working.

When temporary disability refers to a condition, it can result from an accident, an illness, or an event. There are numerous types of conditions that inflict people this way. For example, a stroke may leave a person temporarily paralyzed on one side. A traumatic experience may cause a person to become severely depressed. Many people are unaware that mental conditions can qualify as disabilities.

The means by which a condition will be cured or reversed does not generally affect whether or not it is considered a temporary disability. If the condition will be naturally corrected, but is inhibiting for a short period, it can be considered a disability. If the condition requires a medical procedure to be corrected, it can likewise be considered a temporary disability.

When a person has a temporary condition, she may be entitled to compensation that is called temporary disability. California’s State Administrative Manual, for example, describes temporary disability as a benefit payable if a job-related injury or illness results in an inability to work for more than three calendar days. Many employers offer similar temporary benefits. The terms and definitions that define the eligibility of the conditions and the time frames for which a person will be out of work can vary.

Employees have often paid for the disability benefits they receive. Many companies offer this type of coverage as part of an insurance package. When a person has this type of coverage, and she becomes disabled, she will generally only receive a portion of her normal salary.

All employers do not offer this type of benefit. In these instances, disabled individuals may be eligible for assistance from the government. Individuals who are unemployed or whose benefits from their employers end before their health is restored may also be eligible for government benefits.

In any case, such benefits are generally limited. This means they will only be made available for a certain period of time. If a person needs assistance beyond this time frame, she will likely have to seek other benefits such as those for long-term disability or worker’s compensation.