If I Cannot Return to Work After Short-Term Disability Ends, Can I Apply for Long-Term Disability?

Yes, if you’ve exhausted your short-term disability benefits, you may be able to apply for long-term disability benefits. Usually this happens after you’ve had an extension of your short-term disability benefits.

To go from short-term to long-term disability, you will need to meet the stricter eligibility requirements of the long-term disability coverage and provide medical evidence that you are unable to work long-term. It may also be possible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) depending on your work history.