Insurance protects people when something bad occurs. For instance, long-term disability (LTD) insurance offers a financial safety net for people who cannot work because of a disability. However, some requirements need to be met to qualify for LTD benefits. To be eligible, your disability should be one of the conditions that qualify for LTD based on your policy’s terms and that you cannot work because of this disability.
Applying for disability benefits can be difficult, especially since eligibility usually relies on a technical reading of insurance documents. A lawyer who specializes in LTD cases can help you apply and collect evidence to support your disability claim.
Requirements You Must Meet
LTD insurance covers your income if you cannot work for a prolonged period. Depending on your policy’s terms, LTD benefits may last for two years or until retirement age. You can have an LTD policy through your employer or purchase it yourself. If your policy is part of a group plan, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) governs this policy. If you bought an LTD policy, any disputes under it will be resolved under state law.
Eligible Conditions
A lot of medical conditions qualify for long-term disability benefits. The main factor is that the condition is serious enough to prevent you from performing your current work duties or work in any occupation. You must submit medical records that show your conditions limit your capacity to work. Examples of conditions that qualify for LTD benefits include fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, cervical stenosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, and more.
In addition, mental health issues may qualify for disability benefits. But a lot of insurance policies put a 24-month limit on these benefits for substance abuse or psychiatric disorders. Examples of mental health conditions that may qualify for benefits include bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, autism, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and others.
Getting Approved for Benefits
Getting approved for LTD benefits is a process that involves several steps. To qualify, you need to show that a licensed doctor diagnosed you with a covered medical condition and this diagnosis makes it impossible for you to work for a certain period.
Insurance providers may employ different tactics to reduce or deny legitimate disability claims. They may use surveillance to collect evidence to refute your disability. If an insurance company violates ERISA rules and denies your disability application, your lawyer can appeal this decision or file a lawsuit against the company in court.
