Massachusetts Health & Accident Insurance Practice Exam

Short-term disability benefits typically last how long?

1. 1 month to 3 months

2. 6 months to 2 years

3. 2 years to 5 years

4. More than 5 years

The correct answer is: 6 months to 2 years

Short-term disability benefits are designed to provide income replacement and support for individuals who are temporarily unable to work due to illness, injury, or other medical conditions. The duration of these benefits typically ranges from a few weeks up to a maximum of around six months, although the specifics can vary by policy and state regulations. Choosing a timeframe of 6 months to 2 years is more characteristic of long-term disability benefits, which are intended for more prolonged disabilities that extend beyond the initial recovery period covered by short-term disability. Short-term disability policies are generally designed to bridge the gap until long-term benefits kick in or until the policyholder is able to return to work. Hence, the correct answer is more reflective of short-term disability as it aligns with the industry standards for coverage duration in most cases. In contrast, the other options present durations that fall outside of the typical scope of short-term disability benefits, reflecting either too brief a period or a long period more suitable for long-term coverage.