The main difference between short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) is how long they are designed to replace your income when a medical condition prevents you from working.
Short-term disability generally covers the earlier part of a medical absence. Long-term disability is designed for medical conditions that keep you from working for a longer period.
The exact rules, payment amounts and length of coverage depend on your disability insurance plan.
On This Page:
- STD vs. LTD At a Glance
- What Is Short-Term Disability?
- What Is Long-Term Disability?
- Key Differences
- When STD Ends
- If Benefits Are Denied
Short-Term Disability vs. Long-Term Disability At a Glance
| Question | Short-Term Disability (STD) | Long-Term Disability (LTD) |
|---|---|---|
| What is it for? | Temporary periods when a medical condition prevents you from working | Longer periods when a medical condition continues to prevent you from working |
| When does it start? | Usually near the beginning of a medical absence, after any waiting period | After the LTD waiting or elimination period |
| How long can it last? | Usually weeks or months, depending on the plan | Potentially years, depending on the policy and your continued eligibility |
| How much does it pay? | Depends on the STD plan | Depends on the LTD policy |
| Is medical evidence required? | Yes | Yes |
| Do you apply separately? | Usually | Usually |
| Does approval continue automatically? | No | No — the insurer can continue reviewing the claim |
The details can vary significantly between plans. Always check the wording of your own STD and LTD coverage.
What Is Short-Term Disability?
Short-term disability provides income when a medical condition temporarily prevents you from working.
It is designed for the earlier stage of a disability and usually lasts for a limited number of weeks or months.
You generally need medical evidence showing that your condition prevents you from doing your job.
How long STD lasts and how much it pays depend on your specific plan.
Learn more in our Short-Term Disability in Canada guide.
What Is Long-Term Disability?
Long-term disability provides income when a medical condition prevents you from working for a longer period.
LTD normally begins after a waiting or elimination period set out in the policy.
If approved, benefits can continue for months or years as long as you continue to meet the policy’s definition of disability and other requirements.
The insurer can ask for updated medical information and review your eligibility while you are receiving benefits.
What Is the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability?
1. STD Starts Earlier
Short-term disability is generally designed to provide income near the beginning of a medical absence.
LTD starts later, after you complete the waiting period required by the long-term disability policy.
2. LTD Can Last Much Longer
STD usually lasts for weeks or months.
LTD can potentially continue for years if your medical condition continues to prevent you from working and you remain eligible under the policy.
3. The Payment Amount Can Be Different
STD and LTD don’t necessarily replace the same percentage of your income.
Each plan can have its own:
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Benefit percentage
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Maximum weekly or monthly payment
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Rules about other income
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Tax treatment
Check the actual policy rather than assuming your LTD payment will be the same as your STD payment.
4. You Usually Need a Separate LTD Application
Approval for STD doesn’t normally mean that LTD will simply start when short-term benefits end.
The LTD insurer can require:
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A new application
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Updated medical forms
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More medical records
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Information about your job
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Additional medical or functional assessments
See our guide to applying for long-term disability benefits.
5. STD Approval Doesn’t Guarantee LTD Approval
You can be approved for short-term disability and later be denied long-term disability.
The LTD insurer can conduct a new review and decide that:
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It needs more medical evidence
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Your condition has improved
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You are able to return to work
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You don’t meet the LTD policy’s definition of disability
This can happen even when the same insurance company handles both benefits.
Do STD and LTD Require the Same Medical Evidence?
Both STD and LTD claims need medical support, but an LTD insurer will usually want current evidence showing why you remain unable to work after a longer period away from your job.
Medical information can include:
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Reports from your doctor or specialists
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Your symptoms and diagnosis
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Treatment you have received
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What your condition prevents you from doing
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Why you can’t perform the important duties of your job
Don’t assume the medical information that was enough for STD will automatically be enough for LTD.
Read our guide to medical reports for long-term disability claims.
When Does Short-Term Disability Become Long-Term Disability?
STD doesn’t simply “turn into” LTD on a certain date.
Long-term disability can become available after you complete the waiting period in your LTD policy, but you normally need to apply and be approved.
If you are still unable to work as STD approaches its end:
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Find out when your LTD waiting period ends
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Get the LTD application package
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Ask your doctor for updated medical information
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Submit the application before the deadline
For the full process, read our guide to the transition from short-term disability to long-term disability.
Are STD and LTD Always With the Same Insurance Company?
No. The same insurer can handle both benefits, but that isn’t always the case.
Your STD and LTD benefits can have different:
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Insurance companies or administrators
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Application forms
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Payment amounts
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Eligibility rules
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Deadlines
Check your benefits information before STD ends so you know who handles your LTD claim and what you need to submit.
Where Does EI Sickness Fit With STD and LTD?
EI sickness benefits are different from both STD and LTD because EI is a federal government benefit rather than private disability insurance.
Whether EI applies depends on your situation, what disability coverage you have and the timing of those benefits.
For a complete comparison, see our Short-Term Disability vs. EI vs. Long-Term Disability guide.
What if STD or LTD Benefits Are Denied?
A denial of one benefit doesn’t automatically mean you won’t qualify for the other.
If STD Is Denied or Cut Off
Find out why the insurer stopped or refused the benefit and whether an LTD application deadline is approaching.
Read what to do if your short-term disability claim is denied.
If LTD Is Denied
A long-term disability denial can happen even after months of approved STD benefits.
Get the reason for the denial in writing and speak with a disability lawyer about how to challenge the decision.
Read what to do when your long-term disability claim is denied.
Frequently Asked Questions About STD vs. LTD
What Is the Main Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability?
Short-term disability is designed for the earlier, temporary period of a medical absence. Long-term disability is designed for medical conditions that prevent you from working for a longer period.
Which Comes First, STD or LTD?
STD generally comes first. LTD can begin after you complete the waiting period set out in your long-term disability policy.
Does Short-Term Disability Automatically Become Long-Term Disability?
No. You will usually need to apply for LTD separately and provide updated medical information showing why you remain unable to work.
Does STD Approval Mean LTD Will Be Approved?
No. The LTD claim is assessed separately, and the insurer can require new forms, updated medical evidence and additional information before approving benefits.
Can You Have LTD Without Short-Term Disability?
Yes. Whether you have STD coverage and whether you have LTD coverage depend on your insurance plan. You can have long-term disability coverage even if no short-term disability plan applies.
Can STD and LTD Be With Different Insurers?
Yes. Check your benefits information to confirm who handles each benefit and whether a separate LTD application is required.
Get Help With Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Benefits
STD and LTD serve different stages of a disability claim, but problems with either benefit can leave you without income while you are unable to work.
If your benefits are delayed, denied or cut off, get advice before accepting the insurance company’s decision.
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP helps people with short-term and long-term disability insurance claims throughout Canada, excluding Quebec.