GROUP SHORT-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Paycheck Protection Exclusively For Feds
Protect Your Paycheck. Group Short-Term Disability Insurance helps protect your income when you can’t work due to eligible illnesses or injuries.
With WAEPA Group Short-Term Disability Insurance, you can continue to receive a paycheck for up to six months during recovery from a covered temporary illness or injury.
Apply For Benefits
Understanding Group Short-Term Disability Insurance
1 out of 4 20 year olds can expect to become disabled before reaching retirement age*
Why do I need Short-Term Disability Insurance?
If you have a temporary illness or injury that could keep you out of work, Group Short-Term Disability Insurance from WAEPA will cover a portion of your paycheck for up to six months.
A Steady Income, Even if You Can’t Work
As a WAEPA member, you can apply for benefits of up to $6,500 a month to help replace your income while recovering from a short-term disability. This is limited to up to 60% of your average monthly income. The supplemental income will help create a safety net for you and your family.
Available Exclusively For Feds, By Feds
This valuable protection is reserved for current and former Civilian Federal Employees between the ages of 18 and 65 who are actively working at least 30 hours a week.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES
Income Protection When You Need It
WAEPA now offers QuickDecision underwriting for Short-Term Disability. Feds under 50 can secure coverage in minutes.
Up to $6,500 in Monthly Benefits
Receive a monthly income if a covered disability keeps you from working. Apply for benefits from $100 to $6,500, in $100 increments.
Decide When Coverage Begins
Choose a 14- or 30-day elimination period when you apply, and you only have to wait 14 or 30 days after becoming disabled before monthly benefits are paid out.
Tax-Free Benefits
Benefits are paid directly to you, and are usable as you see fit. And, as long as you pay the monthly premiums yourself, benefits are tax-free**.
No Lab Work Required
Answer health questions in your online application.
Speed
No waiting – get a decision within 30 minutes.
Apply for Coverage in 30 Minutes or Less with QuickDecision
WAEPA now offers QuickDecision underwriting for Short-Term Disability Insurance applicants under age 50. Apply online and get a decision in minutes.
WAEPA IS THE NAME FEDS HAVE TRUSTED SINCE 1943
Reliably Backed by New York Life Insurance Company
Frequently Asked Questions
What is group short-term disability income insurance?
This is protection that pays you a fixed monthly benefit, if a covered illness or injury keeps you out of work for up to six months. Coverage is issued by an insurance carrier (New York Life Insurance Company) to a policyholder (WAEPA) for the purpose of insuring the policyholder’s members. The economies of scale provide for competitive premiums.
Who is eligible to apply for this coverage?
This protection is reserved for current and former eligible Civilian Federal Employees between the ages of 18 and 65 who are actively working at least 30 hours a week. Eligible spouses of current and former Civilian Federal Employees may also apply for coverage as a WAEPA Associate Member.
How do I apply?
It’s easy. You can apply online in a few short minutes. In some cases, a medical exam and/or copies of medical records may be required. If so, the exam will be performed by a medical examiner appointed by our insurance underwriter, New York Life Insurance Company, at no charge to you. We also cover the cost of obtaining copies of your records. It may take up to eight weeks to complete the application process and receive your Certificate of Insurance.
How much coverage is available to me?
You can choose a monthly benefit amount from $100 to $6,500 a month in increments of $100. This amount can’t be more than 60% of your average monthly income when combined with the benefits you receive from any other source.
How long does coverage last?
You can collect benefits for up to six months.
How soon can I collect benefits?
Benefits can begin after either 14 or 30 days. You decide the elimination period that’s right for you.
Is Short-Term Disability Insurance portable if I leave federal service?
Yes, provided they are transitioning to a job actively working at least 30 hours per week and will have a W-2 from the new job. You may want to consider if your current coverage amount will still be applicable and confirm if you will have an STDI policy through your new job to prevent being over or under-covered, or duplicating benefits with your new employer.
What is an elimination period?
The time period that begins when a disability first occurs and ends when you become eligible for benefit payments.
Disclaimers
Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 on Policy Form
GMR-FACE/G-30281-0.
WP-STDI-0324
*“What Is Short-Term Disability? How it Works, and When You Can Use It”, GoodRx Health, 2022.
**Consult a tax advisor for details around tax-free disability benefits.
***Benefits cannot exceed 60% of your average monthly income when combined with all other income benefits you receive from any other source. See other income benefits provision for more details. Consult a tax advisor for details around tax-free disability benefits.
****STDI is not currently available in: NV, OR, NH, VT, all U.S. Territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.
*****Louisiana residents: please contact WAEPA Member Services at (800) 368-3484 for more information on applying for coverage.
*****Michigan residents: I understand that I may use a producer/agent to assist me with the completion of this application at no cost to me.