I am helping my aunt to sign up for her health insurance provided by her new employer. For Short-term/Long-term disability, what are some things to look over?

Hello,

She has been working at a new retail place for several months and she mentioned that her hands have been hurting starting few weeks ago. She started putting on that Shaq’s Ice-pack and such but it only relieve temporarily so she has even started seeing her Primary Physician (from current/existing health insurance) and even got an x-ray recently after being referred to a specialist (she’s waiting to see her soon for result and all).

Anyway, while I am going over a pamphlet that was provided to her by new employer, I noticed an area for Short Term/Long Term disability. From what I read over, it seems like the insurance/employer pay out to her a portion of her weekly salary for certain amount of time (3 months or longer i believe) while she rest at home.

For this, what are some things to consider or watch out for applying for it? Additionally, I was really confused about some things and would really appreciate help on questions I have trouble with:

She hasn’t worked over a year at the place. Will the company punish/fire her for requesting a short-term (or even long-term) disability (whether it’s approved or not)?

From what I read on Google, it says the approval is determined by whether a person is able to perform the job or not. Does it count when she’s physically compromised to perform without pain?

Does she need to have the insurance for certain # of months or a year or even employed at the place?

Thank you very much. I told her to keep track of any documentations she received from doctors whenever she visited him/her related to her hands just in case. I read these are needed when submitting an approval to the insurance.