How Long Can You Claim Long Term Disability?
Fundamentally, the amount of time to claim on your long-term disability benefits depends on the policies set in place by the insurance policy purchased through your employer or the coverage you purchased independently. There is, however, a standard benefit period of two to five years, or for as long as you have a disability until the age of 65. Other factors that may affect the duration for which you may claim long-term disability include:
- Income
- Age
- Occupation
- Medical history
- Gender
- Smoking status
- And possibly more
What Is Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Long-term disability insurance is a type of insurance you purchase in the event of an injury or illness that has removed you from working for the foreseeable future, typically due to a disabling accident or a severe health issue. As a beneficiary, you may receive 60 to 85 percent of your income as a monthly insurance payout. It is important to note that long-term disability is not the same as worker compensation insurance, as the former does not cover work-related injuries and illnesses.
How Long-Term Disability Works
To purchase long-term disability insurance, you may go through a standard approval process to become a policyholder. Typically, the application process takes four to six weeks and may include the following steps:
- Comparing insurance quotes
- Filling out all relevant paperwork
- Undergoing an underwriting process to assess risk exposure
- Undergoing a thorough medical examination
- A phone or in-person interview with the potential insurer
Once the insurance company approves your application, you are free to purchase the insurance coverage and start paying off your monthly premiums. In some cases, employers purchase long-term disability insurance for their employees. Depending on the agreement in place, they may cover the entire cost, split the cost with the employee, or let the employee be solely responsible for the cost of coverage.
If your long-term insurance is employer-purchased, you may have to meet specific criteria put forth by your employer. These criteria may include:
- Working for a specified period before you are eligible for coverage
- Being a full-time employee and working a minimum of 30 hours a week
- Selecting your preferred benefits
- Contributing financially to the plan, where it applies
As soon as you become too ill or injured to work, you may file a claim requesting to receive benefits. To do so, you may take the following steps, including:
- Filing a disability claim and proving to the insurance company that you are unable to work
- Waiting for the elimination period to elapse
- Receiving your monthly insurance payout for as long as the benefits period specifies
- Depending on the policy in place, returning to work after recovery or continuing to receive benefits until the age of 65
Long-Term Disability Elimination Period
The elimination period refers to the amount of time a policyholder has to wait before receiving their first monthly insurance payout. Basically, this waiting period starts the day you become injured or ill. Per the insurance policy, the elimination period may be anywhere between 30, 60, or 90 days. However, there are longer elimination periods of six months or even a year. You may always change the terms of your elimination period by contacting your insurance company. Note that by doing so, you are inevitably changing the cost of your policy.
Medical Conditions That Qualify for Long-Term Disability Benefits
Firstly, to receive benefits, you need to have a disabling injury or medical condition that hinders your ability to work entirely or to a certain degree. The following are a few types of conditions that may qualify you for long-term disability.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis or inflammatory arthritis
- Back pain
- Scoliosis
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Drug addiction
- Autism
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Panic attacks
- Emphysema
- Heart failure
- Heart muscle disease
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Syringomyelia
- Crohn’s disease
- Short bowel syndrome
- Gastritis
- Wilson’s disease
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
- Kidney failure
- Hemochromatosis
- Chronic anemia
- Pernicious anemia
- Coma
- Salmonella
- Uterine prolapse
- Cervicitis
- Meningitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Genital organ disorders
- And more
Preszler Injury Lawyers May Be Able to Help You with Your Long-Term Disability Insurance
Did your insurance company deny your claim? Do you need a lawyer to evaluate the terms of your long-term disability insurance? Or do you have specific concerns? Whatever it is, a qualified lawyer from Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help. We evaluate your insurance claim, review your medical records, and help you understand long-term disability laws, among many other things. Call us today at 1-800-JUSTICE to discuss your case in a free initial consultation. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, do not worry, we may be able to come to you. Just let us know.
