Explore everything you need to know about Short Term Disability in Michigan, USA. From eligibility criteria to the application process, this guide covers it all.
In Michigan, about 14.3% of people have a disability, which means they have difficulty with daily tasks. Among children aged 4 and under, the disability rate is 0.5%.
Having a disability can make it tough to do daily activities, especially when it stops you from working. Short-Term Disability Michigan is important because it provides money to help you live when you can’t work.
However, applying for disability benefits can be confusing, and this might mean you and your families don’t get the help you need.
This article will explain how to apply for disability benefits. The goal is to give you clear and easy-to-understand guidance so you can get the support you need.
Table of Contents
Short-Term Disability in Michigan
- Wage Replacement Rate: 40–70%
- Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount: $1,860
- Maximum Benefit Period: 15 Weeks
- Employee Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for help, you should have very few assets, like personal or retirement savings, which means having less than $2,000. If you’re married, the limit is less than $3,000 in assets. You should also have very little or no income from any source, usually less than $1,000 monthly.
If you ever can’t work for a short time because you’re not feeling well, short-term disability benefits might help you out. Some companies offer these benefits to help you if you’re temporarily unable to work due to a disability.
In Michigan, it’s not required by state or federal law for employers to provide these benefits. But if you’re eligible, they can give you some money to help during that time when you can’t work.
Short-term disability insurance differs from long-term disability insurance in several ways. The main differences include the length of benefits, the waiting period before benefits start, the amount of benefits, the cost of coverage, and where you can get coverage.
Michigan Short-Term Disability Laws
In Michigan, private employers aren’t required by law to offer short-term or long-term disability benefits. But if you get hurt or sick and can’t work, they still need help to pay their bills. Luckily, there are other options to get financial support for the short-term.
One way is through something called workers’ compensation. It’s kind of like a type of insurance for when you in Michigan get sick or injured and can’t do your jobs. Workers’ compensation gives money to help you out during this time.
The Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act helps you if you get injured at work. This law says that all employers in Michigan must have insurance for workers’ compensation.
This insurance gives you money if you get hurt on the job. It also pays for your medical bills and helps you get better. When employers have this insurance, they can’t be sued for your injury.
If you are disabled in Michigan, you can get benefits from different programs. These include:
- Social Security disability benefits
- Michigan state disability assistance for state employees
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- STD disability offered to Michigan state police employees
3 Ways To Get Short-Term Disability Benefits in Michigan
Apply Online
- Visit the SSA‘s website to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
- Keep a note of your application number for tracking purposes.
Visit Your Local Field Office
If you live near an SSA office, schedule an appointment to apply in person.
Apply via Phone
- Call the SSA at 800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.
- This option is suitable for you if you are in remote areas or with mobility challenges.
By following these steps, you can easily apply for disability benefits in Michigan, regardless of where you reside in the state.
Other Michigan Benefits
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a special type of Social Security benefit, much like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). It’s there to support you with very little money if you are disabled, blind, or over 65 years old. When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the Division of Disability Determinations (DDS) will also see if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Most workers are required by the federal government to buy Social Security Disability Insurance and pay for it through Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll taxes.
If you expect your medical condition to prevent you from working for at least one year, you can apply for temporary disability through the Federal Social Security Program.
It’s important to note that not only permanent injuries or illnesses qualify. Instead, focus on the definition provided by the government.
Michigan State Disability Assistance (SDA)
Michigan offers a program called State Disability Assistance (SDA) through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
This program gives money to you in Michigan if you are disabled (or in some cases, if you are 65 years old or older without a disability) or if you take care of a disabled person.
If you want to get State Disability Assistance (SDA) benefits, you can apply online using MI Bridges, or you can get help by contacting your local county office. If you are approved for State Disability Assistance (SDA) benefits, you will receive aid through a Bridge card.
This card works like a debit card and can be used to take out cash benefits or buy things like groceries. If you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you automatically qualify for State Disability Assistance (SDA).
You can also qualify if you are living in a “qualified Special Living Arrangement facility,” like housing for aged, infirmed, or disabled adults. You can also receive State Disability Assistance (SDA) benefits if you’re in an independent living situation receiving help from a caretaker.
Michigan Medicaid
If you live in Michigan and your family earns less than $17,131 per year, you might be eligible for Michigan Medicaid. If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will likely qualify for Medicaid as well.
With Medicaid, you usually only need to pay a very small amount called a co-pay when you get health services. This co-pay is usually around $2 to $3 for each service.
Michigan Unemployment
If you lose your job through no fault of your own and need temporary financial help, you can apply for Michigan unemployment benefits. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity manages these benefits. They provide a weekly cash benefit of up to $362.
The quickest and simplest way to apply for unemployment benefits is online through the state’s Michigan Web Account Manager (MIWAM).
Temporary Disability in MI
The process for applying for temporary disability in Michigan is different for the two mandatory programs. Since the coverage is automatic, you only need to file a claim for benefits.
Workers Compensation
In Michigan, when you work for a company, the state government says that the company has to buy something called Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
This special insurance is meant to help you in case you get hurt or sick while working. It’s there to make sure you still get paid even if you can’t work because of what happened at work.
Conclusion
Short-Term Disability Michigan can help you if you have a temporary disability by giving you money when you need it. This money can help you feel better when things are tough. We’ve explained how to apply and what benefits you can get.
If you think this information could be useful to people, please consider sharing it with them. Your share could make a big difference to those who need this support.
FAQs
Can Your Employer Contact You While on Short-Term Disability?
Employers can contact you, but they cannot request you to work. They can ask you questions about your benefits or work-related matters, but they cannot ask you to do your work duties.
Can You Be Fired While on Short-Term Disability in Michigan?
The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it totally against the law to fire employees because of their disability. However, STD insurance doesn’t ensure job protection or guarantee that you’ll have the same job when you come back.
Can You Collect Workers Comp and Short-Term Disability at the Same Time?
No, generally, short-term disability claims do not cover illnesses or injuries related to work. If your disability is related to work, you should file for workers’ compensation instead.
