Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance: exam guide and practice questions
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The Hawaii part of the Accident and Health exam lists Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), HRS chapter 392, under marketing methods and practices in section II, Hawaii laws and rules pertinent to accident and health insurance only. That section has 12 of the 35 Hawaii questions. [1] Our Hawaii health law questions page covers the benefit amount, waiting period, duration and eligibility. This page covers the rest of the law, with 10 practice questions.
Why TDI exists (HRS 392-2)
The Legislature found that many workers lose income when nonoccupational sickness or accident keeps them from working, and that many had little or no protection beyond a week or two. The chapter is meant to give individuals in current employment reasonable compensation for wage loss from disabling nonoccupational sickness or accident that is temporary and lasts longer than one workweek, without impeding the growth of voluntary plans that give more protection. [2]
Key definitions (HRS 392-6, 392-7)
- Individual in current employment: someone who performed regular service in employment immediately before, or not longer than two weeks before, the onset of the sickness or the accident, and who would have kept working except for the disability. [3]
- Average weekly wage: based on the wages the employee would have received except for the disability. For salaried employees, it is the weekly salary in the last week before the disability began. [4]
When benefits are not paid
- No qualified care: a person is ineligible for any period in which they are not under the care of a licensed provider listed in the law (such as a physician, dentist, chiropractor, osteopath, naturopathic physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse), who must certify the disability and its probable duration. [5]
- Other ineligibility: benefits are not paid for disability from wilfully self-inflicted injury or injury in committing a listed crime, for days the employee worked for pay, during a labor dispute disqualification, for a knowing false statement, or if the claim is not filed within ninety days after the disability begins or as soon as reasonably possible. [6]
- No double benefits: TDI is not paid for a period when the employee is entitled to weekly unemployment benefits or weekly workers' compensation benefits for total disability, with listed exceptions. [7]
How employers provide TDI (HRS 392-41, 392-48 to 392-50)
An employer may insure the benefits with an authorized insurer, deposit securities or a surety bond satisfactory to the director, or, with proof of financial ability, pay benefits directly. [8] For employers who in good faith cannot get coverage, the insurance commissioner may approve a plan that spreads them among insurers. [8] Every TDI insurance policy must let employees enforce the insurer's liability in their own names, and an employer's insolvency or bankruptcy does not relieve the insurer of paying benefits. [9] [10] An insurer cannot cancel a TDI policy until at least ten days after notice is filed with and served on the director of labor and industrial relations. [11]
Protecting the benefits (HRS 392-29, 392-44.5)
Benefits cannot be assigned or pledged, and they are exempt from levy, garnishment and other debt collection. [12] No employer or insurer may deny benefits without first sending a copy of the denial notice to the department, which reviews it within ten days and may ask for reconsideration. The employee has the right to appeal. [13]
Practice questions
1. What kind of disability does Hawaii TDI cover?
A. Work injuries
B. Nonoccupational sickness or accident causing wage loss
C. Permanent disability only
D. Unemployment
Answer: B. (HRS 392-2) [2]
2. A worker's last day of regular work was ten days before she got sick. Is she an individual in current employment?
Answer: Yes, if she would have kept working except for the disability; the limit is not longer than two weeks before onset. (HRS 392-6) [3]
3. How is the average weekly wage figured for a salaried employee?
Answer: The weekly salary in the last week before the disability began. (HRS 392-7) [4]
4. A claimant stops seeing any licensed provider. What happens to TDI for that period?
Answer: The claimant is ineligible for that period. (HRS 392-26(a)) [5]
5. How long does a worker have to file a TDI claim?
Answer: Ninety days after the disability begins, or as soon after as reasonably possible. (HRS 392-27(5)) [6]
6. A worker is collecting workers' compensation for total disability. Can TDI also be paid for that period?
Answer: No, apart from listed exceptions. (HRS 392-28) [7]
7. Name one way an employer may secure TDI benefits.
Answer: Insure with an authorized insurer, post securities or a surety bond, or self-insure with proof of financial ability. (HRS 392-41(a)) [8]
8. The employer goes bankrupt. Does the TDI insurer still owe benefits?
Answer: Yes, for the life of the policy. (HRS 392-49) [10]
9. A creditor tries to garnish a worker's TDI benefits. Can it?
Answer: No. TDI benefits are exempt from garnishment and other collection remedies. (HRS 392-29) [12]
10. An insurer wants to deny a TDI claim. What must it do first?
Answer: Send a copy of the denial notice to the department, which reviews it within ten days. (HRS 392-44.5) [13]
Study tips
- TDI is for non-work disabilities; work injuries go to workers' compensation.
- Know the time limits: two weeks for current employment, ninety days to file, ten days for the department's review and for cancellation notice.
- Benefits cannot be assigned or garnished.
Practice more with the free Hawaii accident and health practice test.
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with Pearson VUE or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- Pearson VUE, Hawaii content outlines 121201 (effective January 1, 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/121201.pdf
- HRS 392-2: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0002.htm
- HRS 392-6: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0006.htm
- HRS 392-7: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0007.htm
- HRS 392-26: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0026.htm
- HRS 392-27: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0027.htm
- HRS 392-28: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0028.htm
- HRS 392-41: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0041.htm
- HRS 392-48: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0048.htm
- HRS 392-49: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0049.htm
- HRS 392-50: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0050.htm
- HRS 392-29: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0029.htm
- HRS 392-44.5: https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0392/HRS_0392-0044_0005.htm