Disability Benefits

An experienced disability lawyer can help you with assessing the validity of your claim and ensuring that you receive the maximum benefits applicable to your condition under your insurance policy. Your lawyer will study the terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully to check whether your condition meets the eligibility criteria mentioned in the document. He will check whether you fall under the total or partial disability, depending on the severity of your condition. If so, he will help submit the claim as per the procedure laid out in your insurance policy within the deadline. At Nanda and Associate Lawyers, our disability lawyers can assist you with the claim and help you receive the maximum disability benefits you are entitled to as per your insurance policy.

There are a number of medical conditions that can qualify for eligibility for disability benefits in Canada. However, what may or may not be covered for you will be dictated by the terms of your insurance policy. Some common conditions that are covered in most insurance policies are:

• Cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke and heart disease.
• Musculoskeletal conditions, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and sciatica.
• Mental health conditions, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
• Neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Epilepsy.
• Respiratory conditions, such as Asthma and cystic fibrosis.
• Chronic pain and fatigue syndrome, such as long COVID and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
• Endocrine disorders, such as Diabetes and thyroid disorders.
• Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Different types of cancer.

However, you will have to go through the process of proving that your medical condition has significantly reduced your ability to work as before.

• Duration: Short-term disability benefits are typically meant for three to six months while you recover from an injury or illness. Long-term disability benefits offer support for longer durations, from 2 years to 10 years or, in some cases, up to the age of retirement.
• Availability of coverage: Most plans only provide long-term benefits. In other words, while you wait for the application to be approved, you will have to rely on other financial resources for support.
• Duration of the waiting period: Obviously, the waiting period for the short-term benefits plan will be shorter than that of a long-term benefits plan.

This refers to the duration of the waiting time from the day you got injured or were diagnosed with the disease to the day you started receiving the benefits. Typically, this might take anywhere between 3 months and a year. The insurance provider will assess your case and check whether your medical condition qualifies you for disability benefits as per your insurance policy. In some cases, it might be possible for you to opt for short-term benefits while you wait for the approval of long-term disability benefits. It is best to check your insurance policy document and follow the advice of your disability lawyer in your case.

If depression is a condition that qualifies for coverage in your insurance policy, yes, you can apply for disability benefits. You will still have to prove that you are suffering from a severe case of depression affecting your ability to function before you can qualify. It is important to check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to ensure that this is covered. Even when a severe case of depression might qualify for disability benefits if covered under your policy, mild depression is not always covered.

This depends entirely on the particular circumstances of your case and the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. For example, in some cases, the coverage might provide benefits up to 60% of your last drawn income before the injury or illness. Also, while you are now unable to perform the tasks required at your current job, you might be required to undergo vocational retraining to find a more suitable line of work within 24 months, for example. This is especially applicable in cases where you are found to be only partially disabled. It is best to consult a disability lawyer to ensure that you are receiving the maximum compensation possible under your insurance policy.

If the disability you are attempting to claim coverage for was caused or related to a pre-existing condition, your application for disability benefits may be rejected. However, there are always exceptions. It might be possible that if your condition was exacerbated in an extreme way during the period of coverage of your policy, you can challenge such a rejection. Connect with our disability lawyers to find out the best course of action if you are dealing with issues concerning your disability claim.