The amount you need will depend on your budget. The first thing to do is to determine your expenses. Next, you need to find out what percentage of your income you’ll receive from your plan. It’s best to find out how much your net deposit will be since short-term disability payments can be subject to income tax. You can also factor in the possibility of medical expenses that may not be covered, such as medication, equipment, and even things like parking fees if you need to visit a treatment centre.  If you have savings you can access and are willing to use if you experience a short-term disability, you may need less than if you have no savings. Conversely, if you think you will need more than your employer’s plan provides, you can buy additional coverage.