Once you have been approved for long term disability benefits you may be wondering how long those disability benefits will continue to be paid by your disability insurer. Long term disability policies are marketed as “peace of mind” insurance. However, termination of benefits happens quite frequently.
A long term disability policy is a contract. This contract will provide that benefits will terminate when you no longer meet the definition of disability as defined in the policy or if you reach a certain age – usually 65.
Most long term disability policies will define disability in two ways. For the first two years of claim you would have to prove that you are unable to perform the essential tasks of your pre disability employment due to injury, sickness, illness or disease. The test often changes after two years to whether you are totally disabled from performing any gainful occupation that you are suited to by way of education, training or experience.
In many instances disability insurance companies will cut off your benefits before you turn 65 and even before the two year mark. You may see insurance companies use one of these familiar grounds:
- you haven’t participated in the right treatment program
- your social media posts show that you should be able to work
- there is insufficient medical evidence
- you should be able to do a sedentary job
- your disability was due to an issue with your employer
If the above sounds familiar be rest assured that you are not alone. The lawyers at Kotak Personal Injury Law are familiar with the manner in which long term disability claims are denied by disability insurance companies.
We offer free consultations and don’t charge until your case is resolved. We represent people throughout Ontario, Alberta and for those who cannot meet us at one of our offices we offer consultation at your home, a local coffee shop, courthouse, by telephone, Skype or WhatsApp.
