Short Term Disability (STD) is private insurance that replaces some of your income if an injury or illness prevents you from working. While you are away from work, it pays you a certain percentage of your income for a set period of time. Some employers provide group STD policies as part of their benefits packages. If your employer doesn’t offer STD, or you want additional coverage, you can buy an individual policy from an insurance agent. Every STD policy has different features. Your Human Resources department (or your insurance agent if you have an individual policy) is usually the best source of information about your specific plan.