Common Mistakes When Applying for Long Term Disability Benefits

By Matt Lalande in Long-Term Disability on September 13, 2018

What are some Common Mistakes When Applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits?

When applying for a disability claim from an insurance provider, it’s not uncommon to have it initially denied for varying reasons.  Have a read below to learn about common mistakes that claimants sometimes make when applying for disability benefits.

Some common mistakes include:

• Filing a claim while working – Disability benefits are meant to provide income when a disability impedes your ability to work. Applying while working contradicts the claim that you can’t work. Time your application well to avoid any contradictions to your claim.
•  Applying too soon –  Applying too early can make it harder to prove that you’re suffering from a long-term disability. An adjuster may assume that your condition will improve before you qualify for any benefits.
•  Forgetting to follow up – Check the status of your claim regularly. Communicating with the insurance company can speed the process and catch any potential mistakes. Maintain secondary contact details for your insurance provider to reach you in case of emergencies, or provide an emergency contact for any important messages.
• Not being truthful with your medical history on purpose – otherwise called fraudulent misrepresentation, failing to disclose some or all of your medical history is simply a one way street to claims denial.
• Material or innocent misrepresentation of your medical history – whether it’s done by accident or innocently, misrepresntation made by you that would have impacted the disability company’s decision to issue you a long term disability policy can be a major problem if you are applying for disability within the contestibility period.
• Lacking medical evidence – One common mistake is assuming that a consultative exam provides sufficient proof of disability. These exams rarely prove existence of a disability on their own. Work with your doctors to collect as much evidence as possible. Gather verifiable documentation, including treatment regimens to bolster your claim. For best results, get documentation from your specialists.
• Missing medications or not following treatment – Failure to follow your doctor’s treatment can be grounds for rejection of your claim. The insurance company can take that as evidence that your condition is less serious than it is. If you can’t comply with treatment, document your reason.
• Facebook or Instagram can be your enemy – you might be legitimately disabled, but what if your Instagram shows differently? We get that people that are sick may not feel sick every moment of every day, but why show the world?
• You have no objective evidence – Is your disability only what YOU say it is? Can you see it in an x-ray, CT or blood test? If not, then it’s really important that you talk to a Hamilton long term disability lawyer.
• Not finishing the application – filing an incomplete application is not a good idea, ever. Finish the application the best that you are able. If you cannot, then obtain help.
• Giving up immediately – Having a claim rejected is not the end of the world. In many cases, the claim is only rejected because of a minor mistake. Remain optimistic after a rejection. Reorganize your case and double-check for any mistakes.

Watching for these mistakes can make the application process easier, even if you’re on your second attempt. For best results, consult a disability lawyer to help you through the process. A skilled Ontario long-term disability lawyer can be the difference between success or failure during a disability application or appeal.

Based in Hamilton, Matt Lalande has represented clients in personal injury and disability cases province wide for over 15 years. If you have been injured and denied your benefits, we can help. Call us at (905) 333-8888 or fill out a contact form for a free consultation.  We NEVER charge upfront fees in personal injury or disability cases.