Before approved disability payments can begin, the covered person must satisfy an elimination period. A standard elimination period is seven days but can stretch as long as 180 days. Generally, if an employee satisfies a longer elimination period, they may claim benefits longer than those with a shorter elimination period.

For example: Jane strains her back while moving furniture on a Sunday afternoon (August 1). She is unable to go into work the next day, so her husband takes her to the hospital for an MRI. Several days later, Jane's doctor diagnoses her with a herniation in her lower spine. The doctor sets up an epidural injection to manage her pain and to clear the herniation. He also certifies Jane's temporary disability, stating that she will be out of work for three to four weeks and that her injury occurred on August 1.

Jane's employer approves her temporary disability claim. She is now eligible for short-term disability benefits retroactive to August 9, as that is the first day following her policy's seven-day elimination period.

For a policy with an elimination period of seven days, the typical benefit period is three months. An elimination period of 30 days will have an extended benefit period – typically six months. Employers may choose to offer multiple elimination periods, giving enrolling employees options that best fits their needs.