Disability Lawyers in Toronto Serving Ontario and Canada
Disability Lawyers across Canada
Applying for Disability Benefits
You have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits. You have told your employer and you’re collecting the necessary documents in order to make your disability claim. Now what? You may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
How we can support you
When you call Share Lawyers, you will speak with someone who knows what you are going through and can offer you the best possible advice at no cost to you.
Why you should contact us:
- Free to talk to us
- Go through the application process and what you need to submit a claim
- Discuss what happens after your claim has been submitted
- Prepare you for what to do in the event your disability claim is denied
Tips on how to apply for disability benefits
These simple steps will help you to get the best results possible when applying for your long term disability benefits:
Do
Make sure you file the disability claim in a timely manner to avoid missing deadlines.
Keep records of everything related to your disability case.
Take notes of your conversations with the insurance companies and your doctors and nurses.
Be honest with your doctors when discussing your disability claim.
Be brief when filling out the forms — you don’t want your insurance company to use your words against you and it is better to have your doctor provide the proof on why you need to be off work.
Read your insurance policy. Familiarize yourself with the part of your policy that dictates the proper procedure for filing a claim.
Be honest when filing your disability claim — fraudulent or exaggerated claims can backfire on you, and can even mean serious criminal charges.
Contact Share Lawyers in the event that your claim is denied and arrange a free consultation.
Don't
Don’t sign anything from the insurance company without carefully reviewing it first — it could potentially be used against you during your case.
Don’t cut back working hours — by opting for fewer working hours because of your disability, you may be inadvertently giving up your disability benefits.
Don’t overdo it or participate in activities in public that might be construed as proof that you are not disabled. The insurance companies may document this, even with video, and may use this against you.
Don’t file one claim at a time — if you’re disabled in more than one way, don’t let the insurance companies tell you that you can only file one claim at a time. Your policy covers your entire body and potentially all the ways it can be disabled.
Don't delay in providing your insurance company with any additional information they need. The more you delay, the longer it will be before you receive a decision.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Don’t delay in contacting an experienced long term disability lawyer. After your claim has been denied, contact us immediately to understand your options. The earlier a lawyer is involved, the better your chances are of getting maximum benefits.
Applying for disability benefits
When your focus is on your health, spending the time to fill out your short term disability or long term disability forms can be frustrating and burdensome. However, it is necessary for you to complete your application in order to get the financial support you need. This video will give you some further tips to assist you in the submission of your disability claim.
How long does it take for a long term disability claim to be approved?
Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to how long it will take for your disability claim to be approved. Your claim may take anywhere from a few weeks to an entire year to be processed. Many factors can affect how quickly your insurance company processes your claim. Providing complete and accurate application forms, detailed medical reports from your doctors, and following up regularly with your insurance company can all help speed up the claims process. Keep in mind that insurance companies are known to delay processing so they can avoid paying out on claims. If your insurance company is checking to see if your medical condition is pre-existing, they’ll attempt to gather every bit of medical information they can to see if they can claim your condition is not new.
If they finally respond, and their decision is to deny your disability claim, immediately contact our office to determine what your options are. Remember, just because your long term disability claim has been denied does not mean that your disability claim is not valid.
Do you need a disability lawyer to assist you when applying for disability benefits?
No, you do not need a lawyer to assist you in applying for disability benefits. A well-prepared application with the assistance of a long term disability lawyer would enhance the chances of a successful application but would not guarantee approval of your disability claim. If you have questions about the process, we can go over your situation free of charge and provide you with guidance.
What should I do if my claim is denied?
If your disability claim has been denied, you might not know where to turn next. You may feel hopeless and unsupported. Unfortunately, your insurance company wants you to feel this way and expects you to give up. However, you are not alone in this. Share is There. We have helped thousands of people win their disability benefits and we can help you as well.
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Get our Applying for Disability Benefits guide.
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