How Hartford's Payment Schedule Works

Hartford pays short-term disability benefits on a weekly basis, with checks arriving every seven days from the date your claim is approved. The first payment typically arrives 10 to 14 days after Hartford receives your completed claim, though this can vary depending on how quickly your employer submits paperwork and whether Hartford needs additional medical records.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated by Hartford based on your salary at the time you became disabled, your state's wage replacement rules, and the specific policy your employer purchased. Hartford does not pay for the first 7 to 14 days you are out of work — this is called the elimination period — so your first check covers the week after that waiting period ends.

Payments continue for the length of your policy's benefit period, which is typically 13, 26, or 52 weeks depending on what your employer chose when they bought the plan. Once that period ends, Hartford stops paying, even if you are still unable to work. At that point, you may be able to move to long-term disability if your employer offers it, or you may need to explore other programs like SSDI.

Key Takeaways

  • Hartford sends short-term disability payments weekly, starting 10 to 14 days after your claim is approved.
  • You will not receive payment for the first 7 to 14 days you are disabled — this waiting period is set by your employer's policy.
  • Your weekly amount depends on your salary and your state's rules about how much of your income short-term disability can replace.
  • Payments stop when your benefit period ends, which is usually 13, 26, or 52 weeks after your first check.
  • If you are still disabled when short-term benefits end, you may be able to move to long-term disability or file for SSDI.

What Determines Your Weekly Payment Amount

Hartford calculates your weekly benefit by taking a percentage of your average weekly wage before you became disabled. Most states allow short-term disability to replace 50 to 66 percent of your gross income, though the exact percentage depends on your state's law and what your employer's policy says. If you earned $1,000 per week and your state allows 60 percent replacement, your weekly benefit would be $600 before taxes.

Hartford uses your wages from a specific period — usually the 52 weeks before you stopped working, or the last quarter you worked, depending on your policy. If you were on unpaid leave, had a recent raise, or took time off, this can affect the amount Hartford calculates. You can ask Hartford to review the wage information they used; if it is wrong, you can submit recent pay stubs to correct it.

Your state may also set a maximum weekly benefit amount. For example, some states cap short-term disability at $500 to $1,000 per week regardless of your actual salary. Hartford will pay whichever is lower: the amount based on your salary, or your state's maximum. You can find your state's maximum by contacting your state's labor department or asking Hartford directly.

The Elimination Period: Why Your First Check Is Delayed

The elimination period is the number of days you must be disabled before Hartford starts paying. Common elimination periods are 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days. During this time, you receive no payment from Hartford, even though you are unable to work. Your employer may continue to pay you during this period if they have a paid leave policy, but Hartford will not.

Your employer chose the elimination period when they bought the policy, so it is set in your plan documents. A shorter elimination period (7 days) means you get paid faster, but it usually costs your employer more in premiums. A longer elimination period (30 days) costs less but leaves you without Hartford income for a month.

The elimination period clock starts on the date you stop working due to disability, not the date you file a claim. If you become disabled on a Monday but do not file your claim until the following Friday, Hartford still counts from the Monday. This is why filing quickly matters — the sooner Hartford receives your claim, the sooner the elimination period ends and payments begin.

How Long Hartford Pays and What Happens When It Stops

Hartford's benefit period — the total length of time they will pay you — is set by your employer's policy and is usually 13 weeks (3 months), 26 weeks (6 months), or 52 weeks (1 year). This is the maximum number of weeks Hartford will send you checks. If you recover before the benefit period ends, Hartford stops paying once you return to work. If you are still disabled when the benefit period ends, Hartford stops paying regardless of your condition.

You should know your benefit period before you need it. Check your plan documents, your employee handbook, or ask your HR department. If you do not know, you can call Hartford's claims line and provide your claim number; they will tell you the exact end date of your benefits.

When your Hartford benefits end, you have limited options. If your employer offers long-term disability insurance, you may be able to move to that program if you meet its requirements — usually meaning you are still disabled and have been on short-term disability for the full benefit period. If long-term disability is not available, you can file for SSDI through Social Security, though SSDI has its own waiting period and approval process that is separate from Hartford.

Payment Method and Timing Issues

Hartford typically deposits short-term disability payments directly into your bank account on a set day each week, usually a Thursday or Friday. You should receive a payment confirmation email or letter showing the amount, the week it covers, and the deposit date. If a payment is late, contact Hartford's claims department with your claim number and the week that is missing.

If you change banks or your account information changes, you must notify Hartford in writing before your next payment is due. If a check is deposited to a closed account, Hartford will reissue it, but this can delay your payment by several days. Keep your bank information current with Hartford to avoid gaps in your income.

Hartford may withhold taxes from your weekly payment. The amount withheld depends on your tax filing status and what you indicated on your claim form. If you believe Hartford is withholding too much or too little, you can adjust your withholding by contacting them, though this does not change your gross benefit amount — only what you receive after taxes.

What to Do If Your Payment Is Wrong or Missing

If you receive a payment that is less than you expected, or if a payment does not arrive on the scheduled day, contact Hartford within 5 business days. Have your claim number, the week the payment covers, and your bank statement showing what was deposited. Hartford can tell you whether the amount is correct based on your wage calculation, or whether there is an error.

Common reasons for lower-than-expected payments include: Hartford recalculated your wages based on new information you provided, your state has a maximum weekly benefit that is lower than your calculated amount, or you returned to work part-time and Hartford reduced your benefit accordingly. Ask Hartford to explain the calculation in writing so you understand what happened.

If Hartford made a calculation error, they will issue a corrected payment. If the error was in your favor and you received more than you should have, Hartford may ask you to repay the overage, though some states have rules about how much they can recover. If you disagree with Hartford's calculation, you can file a dispute through your state's insurance department or your employer's benefits administrator.

Returning to Work and How It Affects Payments

If you return to work before your benefit period ends, Hartford stops paying when ready. You do not receive a partial week's payment for the week you return — Hartford pays only for the weeks you were fully disabled. If you return to work on a Wednesday, Hartford's last payment covers the week before you returned.

Some Hartford policies include a partial disability benefit, which pays a reduced amount if you return to work part-time or at a lower wage than you earned before. For example, if you earned $1,000 per week before disability and can now work only 20 hours per week earning $400, Hartford may pay you a partial benefit to make up part of the difference. Check your policy documents or ask Hartford whether partial disability is included in your plan.

If you return to work and then become disabled again from the same condition within a certain period (usually 30 to 90 days, depending on your policy), Hartford may treat it as a continuation of your original claim rather than a new claim. This means you do not restart the elimination period. If the second disability is from a different condition, Hartford treats it as a new claim with a new elimination period.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I get my first check after Hartford approves my claim?

Your first payment arrives 10 to 14 days after Hartford approves your claim, but it covers only the weeks after your elimination period ends. If your elimination period is 7 days and you filed when ready, your first check arrives around day 17 to 21 and covers week two of your disability. If your elimination period is 14 days, the first check arrives around day 24 to 28.

Can Hartford reduce my payment if I receive other income while disabled?

Yes. If you receive workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, or other disability payments while on Hartford short-term disability, Hartford may reduce your benefit so your total income does not exceed a certain percentage of your pre-disability wage. This is called coordination of benefits. Check your policy or ask Hartford whether other income will affect your payment.

What happens if I disagree with the amount Hartford is paying me?

Request a written explanation of how Hartford calculated your benefit, including the wages they used and any deductions or reductions they applied. If you believe the calculation is wrong, submit corrected pay stubs or wage records. If Hartford still disagrees, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or request a formal review through your employer's benefits administrator.

Do I have to pay taxes on my Hartford short-term disability payments?

Yes, short-term disability payments are taxable income. Hartford withholds federal and state taxes based on your filing status, but the amount withheld may not cover your full tax liability. You may owe additional taxes when you file your return, or you may be owed a refund. Keep records of all Hartford payments for tax purposes.

What if my disability lasts longer than my benefit period?

When your Hartford benefit period ends, Hartford stops paying. If you are still unable to work, you can file for long-term disability if your employer offers it, or you can file for SSDI through Social Security. SSDI has a five-month waiting period before payments begin, so there may be a gap in income between when Hartford stops and when SSDI starts, if you are approved.