You can apply online. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) and the representative will take your application over the phone. You can visit your local Social Security office and apply in person.

In most cases, you have to sign up for short-term disability before you become pregnant if you want the coverage to extend to the pregnancy. However, if you sign up during the pregnancy, you can still be covered for unexpected illnesses or accidents that are unrelated to your condition.

Employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave upon the birth or adoption of their child when they:

1. work for a company with 21 or more employees;
2. worked at least half time for 12 months; and.
3. have been with the company for at least 12 months (not necessarily consecutive).

Once you are approved for coverage, you will be eligible to collect your short term disability insurance benefit starting on the 1st day of total disability due to an accident or the 8th day of total disability due to an illness or pregnancy related claim. …

The minimum benefit amount you can enroll for is $300 per month and the maximum cannot exceed 66.67% of your gross monthly salary. See the following chart to determine your maximum monthly benefit level. The plan maximum is $5,000 per month. Please contact your Human Resources department for more information.

Generally, individuals can begin to receive their payouts in about two weeks. One disadvantage of short-term disability insurance is that these payouts are for a shorter amount of time, usually only up to six months.

Is short-term disability insurance worth it? Short-term disability can be a financial safety net for your family when you need it most. If you work for a living and your household depends on your income, short-term disability could be worth the expense, if you can afford the premium. Your earning ability is valuable.

For many people, long-term disability insurance is a better option, because it lasts longer and is more cost-effective than short-term insurance. Short-term disability insurance can provide complementary coverage but won’t be enough for most people on its own.

California has a short-term disability insurance (SDI) program that provides eight to ten weeks of benefits for a normal pregnancy and childbirth. California’s paid family leave program also provides up to six weeks of paid leave for qualified employees. Benefits under both programs are 55% of normal wages.