How long is the benefit period for short term disability insurance typically?

Short-term disability insurance typically provides benefits for a limited duration, usually ranging from several weeks to a few months. The most common benefit period is approximately 6 to 24 months. This time frame allows employees to recover from illnesses or injuries that temporarily prevent them from working but are not long-term in nature.

The rationale for this duration is that short-term disability insurance is designed to give employees a financial safety net during recovery while facilitating their eventual return to work. It reflects the understanding that most short-term conditions will resolve within this timeframe.

In contrast, benefit periods of 1-3 months may be too brief for many real-life situations, while durations extending to 2-5 years or offering lifetime benefits are typical of long-term disability insurance rather than short-term policies. Therefore, the duration of 6-24 months aligns with the goal of short-term disability coverage, making it the correct consideration for this question.