Disabilities: Insurance Guide
Disabilities are a frightening prospect. For that reason, today, we are focusing on disability insurance. Even if you aren’t suffering from any such issue at the moment, getting informed is vital.
Disability insurance provides you with a steady source of income if you become unable to work. There are many types of insurance covering a wide range of states. Your employer offers some while you need to pay for others. Each also comes with its set of benefits and characteristics.
Let’s take a brief look at the basics.
What Are Disabilities?
A disability is any condition or function significantly impaired in comparison to the standard of living for an individual or a group.
The term refers to the functioning of an individual and includes physical, cognitive, sensory, and intellectual impairment, as well as several types of chronic diseases.
Disabilities are a multidimensional experience for the impaired person. Sometimes, the condition affects an organ or body part, and at other times, the entire system. It may influence the way the person can participate in different areas of life. So, the ICF recognizes three disability dimensions:
- Body structure and function
- Activity
- Participation
This classification acknowledges the role of environmental factors in affecting the outcomes of a condition. Areas most commonly under effect include:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Learning
- Movement
- Thinking
- Remembering
- Communicating
- Mental health
- Social relationships
Disability Insurance Basics
Besides different types of disability insurance by impairment, a fundamental distinction is made by the term of coverage.
Short-Term
If you go through an injury that isn’t likely to leave a permanent impact on your life, you may be eligible for short-term disability insurance. This type of coverage usually pays benefits for one or two years, and it’s activated quickly after the injury or diagnosis.
Most states require that employers offer this benefit to their employees. They can replace up to 80% of your income during the reception period.
Long-Term
Most individual disability insurance policies require that a person is disabled for at least two years before they start paying long-term disability benefits.
However, once you get it approved, it can sustain you for years – 5 or 10 most often, but some even cover you until retirement. They cover less of your gross income, though, usually up to 60%.
There are two subtypes of this policy – own-occupation and any-occupation. The former pays you if you become incapacitated to do your previous job, while the latter only considers you eligible if you can no longer do any job.
Support Services
The WHO reports that around 15% of the world’s population lives with some disability. Most rely on informal support – families, friends, personal networks – but this isn’t enough to support all needs.
So, there are many support services to help with different aspects of disabled life.
Living Services
There are many residential settings all over America, where there is around-the-clock care for the disabled. The Volunteers of America pioneered this type of service, and it’s a long-term support program.
In-Home Support
In-home support services aid the disabled living independently or with their families. They come with the individual support plan and include outings, personal care, and employment.
In-home support also assists people in obtaining their homes, jobs, and community inclusion.
Specialized Services
Sometimes, the disabled will need some specialized services to help them lead a normal life. They often include medical oversight, programs for those with developmental disabilities, and services for people suffering from autism.
Financial Support
Besides insurance, there are many government and non-governmental programs for individuals facing disability.
These are intended as a safety net for those times when insurance doesn’t cover all costs. Financial support addresses a variety of needs – housing, utilities, health care costs, and more.
If you or your loved one recently started suffering a disability, check whether you or they are eligible for such a program. Check whether you meet the qualifications and search for one that works best.
Visit this site to check out the OSDP assistance, which also offers prescription drugs, vision care, and career guidance. It is an excellent example of what the government can do to support people in need.
The Bottom Line
If something happens to you and you develop health problems, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to ensure that help is available. Getting informed early on is key to this, and don’t be afraid to look for professional guidance, either.
It will make your life (or the life of your loved one) much more comfortable.