What Is the Average Waiting Period for Long-Term Disability?

Before receiving long-term disability benefits payments, claimants may be required to exhaust all of their available sick leave, vacation days, short-term disability, and possibly employment insurance benefits. This waiting period, also known as the elimination period, typically lasts between 90-120 days.

However, there are other factors that may influence the length of time required before long-term disability payments can be recovered. Some insurance providers may provide eligible recipients with benefits immediately after the 90th day of their elimination period. But other companies may require claimants to wait six months.

During this time, individuals seeking long-term disability benefits may need to prove their eligibility by submitting medical reports and other evidence of their injuries’ severity to their insurance provider. Waiting periods may also vary depending on the amount of outstanding or backlogged claims still awaiting an insurance provider’s review.

How Much You Get Paid on Long-Term Disability in Canada

On average, most Canadian insurance providers grant eligible recipients of long-term disability benefits between 60-70% of their regular income.

Insurance providers typically require thorough reviews of each individual’s medical conditions in order to confirm the claimant’s inability to return to the workplace. Since these extensive reviews can result in lengthy elimination periods, many insurance providers offer back-payments to compensate for lost wages eligible recipients may have accrued while waiting for their benefits payments to begin.

In order to meet the requirements to receive these benefits, claimants may be required to prove their eligibility.

How Eligibility for Long-Term Disability Benefits Is Determined

Every insurance provider has its own set of eligibility requirements that claimants must meet in order to qualify for long-term disability benefits. That said, generally speaking, if an individual’s medical condition makes it impossible for them to perform the duties of their job, they may be eligible to claim long-term disability benefits. Qualifying medical conditions could include physical injuries, illnesses, and mental conditions.

If a claimant’s medical condition cannot be physically demonstrated, it may be more difficult to prove to the insurance company that it prevents them from returning to work. In cases like these, insurance providers may deny an individual’s claim for long-term disability benefits. When claims are unfairly denied, an individual may choose to work with a lawyer to help them appeal or litigate the insurance company’s decision.

After receiving long-term disability benefits for a lengthy period of time, individuals may be required to prove that they fulfill a new set of qualifications to continue receiving payments. While insurance providers may initially require claimants to be unable to perform the duties of their original job, after a lengthy period of time, they may require evidence proving that the recipient is no longer able to perform the duties of any job.

Receiving Long-Term Disability Benefits from Multiple Policies

Even if you receive long-term disability benefits from two different sources, the total payment amounts may not exceed 60-70% of your regular salary. Generally speaking, insurance companies reduce the size of benefits payments if recipients receive compensation from a secondary plan.

For example, if you collect disability payments from the Canadian Pension Plan, the amount of benefits provided to you by another policy may be lowered, so that your total benefits payments do not exceed the specified percentage of your regular income under your policy of insurance.

How Long-Term Disability Lawyers May Be Able to Assist with Your Claim

If you require assistance filing a long-term disability claim, or appealing or litigating an insurance company’s decision to deny a previously submitted claim, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to provide useful assistance and advice. To learn more about options that may be available to you, call Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE today for a free, initial consultation.