Sometimes life throws you a curve ball that there’s no way to be fully prepared to handle. When you’re faced with an injury or a sudden illness, having to take time off work that you weren’t expecting can be a stressful burden. Luckily, short-term disability insurance may be able to provide a safety net so you can spend less time worrying about finances and more time focused on recovering.
Being Prepared When the Unexpected Happens
Darren Henderson was working as a film editor and had just celebrated his daughter’s first birthday when an injury left him in need of back surgery. “I got to a point where I was in so much pain that I needed to have a surgery immediately to correct herniated discs,” said Henderson.
The most stressful part of taking time off of work was ensuring that he could make ends meet for his family, especially since he was the only one working. “I was also worried about making sure everything was taken care of properly while I was away from work and that my job was still secured for my return,” he said.
Taking the Time Off Needed
One of the most challenging parts of a sudden injury or illness is being unsure of just how long it will take to recover. For Henderson, the procedure was a success but the pain and healing were more than he’d expected. Henderson was able to file for short-term disability through the state of California. However, most states do not have a public short-term disability insurance program.
Henderson was initially told by his doctor that he would need about four weeks for recovery time. As the weeks passed, however, he grew worried about being able to recover completely in that short time. After consulting with his doctor, he ended up extending his short-term disability by two weeks. “Luckily, it wasn’t an issue to take additional time off and there was no problem with continuing my disability benefits,” he said.
Recovering Without Stress
No one likes to think about the possibility of facing a sudden medical emergency, but short-term disability insurance may be able to offer you peace of mind if the unthinkable happens. “I’m glad that I had this safety net to fall on and didn’t have to rely on my savings or anything to come up with the income my family needed,” Henderson said.
To protect you and your family, look into short-term disability insurance through the ADP TotalChoice™ Voluntary Benefits Program. This can give you financial protection if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. It can also give you peace of mind knowing that should something happen, you’re covered.