I need to know if Long term disability kicks in automatically once Short term disability runs out??

I work for Progressive insurance company and they offer std and ltd automatically once employeed. They are trying to tell me that when my FMLA coverage runs out, they can fire me; from what I've found out, they cannot fire me until the day i'm released from my dr. back to work; however my dr. says i'll be out another month and i don't know if my std will last that long, so...does LTD normally just kick right in the day STD runs out? My HR dept is trying to screw me, so need some advice.

I live in the state of FL, the company is headquarted in Ohio, if any of that 'law-applicable' info applies...

(And if you're an atty and know whether or not I can actually be fired while on std, that'd be great too, cause i'm getting mixed answers!!)

when i looked at the coverage at my work, it was like std went on for 6 weeks and ltd started at 6 weeks. so it depends on what your insurence papers say. it wont overlap but i think it will hit like that.

i do know a little about this but it also depends on if your state is a right to work state as well

You're getting mixed answers, because a lot of this depends on the terms of the disability insurance policy you have.

Generally, no, long term disability does not "kick in automatically" when short term disability benefits expire. The standard for figuring out whether you even qualify for LTD is usually very different from STD.

Generally, you cannot be fired while you are out on a disability leave. But you can run out of STD benefits and the company doesn't have to pay you. You might then qualify for the state of Florida's disability program.

What you need to do is take everything--insurance policies, employee handbooks, doctor's notes, etc.--to a Florida employment law attorney for a full explanation of your rights and benefits.

You can also get help by contacting the State of Florida department of health: floridashealth.com