Does an employer provide short term disability if they have LTD benefits?

They can but there is no requirement unless the employer has workers in states with mandates. Five states require coverage: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

In the remaining states the choice is up to the employer. It makes sense to offer a short term option as most group long term disability programs come with long waiting periods before benefits begin - most are six months or longer.

Many employees can't lose six months of income. The majority of American workers live check to check.