Protecting Income & Budgeting x Cancer
Navigating disability, FMLA, and reducing expenses during treatment.
Disability Overview
- FMLA: Protects your job and employer-paid health insurance portion.
- STD/LTD: Replaces a portion of your paycheck (Employer or Private).
- SSDI: Federal insurance (Social Security Disability Insurance).
- Paid Time Off: Vacation/Sick time can bridge gaps.
Reducing Expenses
Priority #1
Improving your health outcome.
Ask yourself:
- What expenses can go?
- What can be covered or paid for by others?
Question Script - Disability
For HR department with an employer-provided plan:
- How much of my salary will this disability insurance replace? Are the payments taxable?
- What is the waiting period before benefits kick in and how long do benefits last?
- If I need more time, when does Long-Term Disability begin? When do I need to make that decision?
- What medical documentation is required?
- Are health insurance payments and job protection covered by this policy or by FMLA?
- Are there any state disability programs that work with this plan?
- May I please have a copy of the Summary Plan Description with an outline of how Short-Term Disability (and/or LTD) and FMLA and any state benefits coordinate?
- Would it make sense for me to use any Paid Time Off (PTO) first?