Short-term disability benefit calculator: what would an employee receive?
Enter weekly earnings, the benefit percentage, the weekly maximum and the length of the absence to see the benefit and the gap. Built for HR teams explaining the benefit.
Estimate a short-term disability benefit.
Use the terms from your own policy. The result updates as you type.
Counted from the first day of disability.
Your estimate
An illustration from the terms you enter. Your policy and your state rules control what is paid.
What does short-term disability cover?
Short-term disability pays part of the wages of an employee when an illness or injury keeps the employee from working for a limited time. Most policies pay a percentage of earnings, up to a weekly maximum, after an elimination period. Benefits usually last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the plan.
How is it different from other leave?
Disability insurance replaces income. Leave laws such as the FMLA protect the job but do not by themselves pay wages. Employees often use both at once, with disability benefits covering part of the pay during a protected leave. Employers should explain how the two work together.
Common questions
Is a short-term disability benefit taxable?
It depends on who paid the premium. Benefits are generally taxable when the employer pays the premium or the employee pays with pretax dollars. They are generally not taxable when the employee pays with after-tax dollars. Check with your tax advisor.
What is an elimination period?
It is the waiting time after disability begins before benefits start. Many policies use a few days to two weeks.
Does the benefit replace full pay?
Usually not. Most policies replace a percentage of earnings, so the employee has an income gap.
Can we offer this as a voluntary benefit?
Yes. Many employers offer it as an employee-paid benefit. We can help compare options.
Laws and rules referenced
29 U.S.C. § 2612 — FMLA leave entitlement: up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave.
This tool gives estimates for education, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm your situation with a qualified advisor.
Talk to us about disability coverage
Book a 30-minute call and we will look at your workforce, your current coverage and the options that fit. Visit us at 41000 Woodward Avenue, Suite 350 East, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, or call 248.370.8853.
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