Disability Insurance

Disability insurance provides income protection to those who become disabled, either temporarily or permanently, and are unable to work. There are basically two types of disability protection: private insurance and insurance through the Social Security Administration, known as SSDI benefits. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a covered disability as listed in the Blue Book of Impairments (or a medical equivalent), with the condition expected to last 12 or more months. For a disability claim, private disability insurance is generally the best option; although some states, such as California, provide additional protection for those who are unable to work in the short term. To learn more about disability insurance and the types of coverage and benefits that are available, refer to the articles in this section.