Am I Eligible for a Long Term Disability Insurance Claim?

A long term disability insurance claim maybe something you should be filing. According to the Social Security Administration, studies show that a person who is working at the age of 20 has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled at some time before he or she reaches retirement age. Such a disability can devastate a person's financial future, especially if the disability stops them from working at all. If you have a long term disability insurance plan, though, some of those financial concerns may be minimized.

How Long Term Disability Insurance Works

Those who obtain this type of insurance will have protection for covered claims starting when their short term disability coverage stops. This policy generally pays a portion of your salary, as much as 60 percent in some cases. Most people will receive benefits for two to five years or until they reach the age of 65. There are stipulations on how you can use such policies, but this type of insurance protection is something most people should have, especially if their family is dependent on their income.

Eligibility for a Long Term Disability Insurance Claim

Determining if you are eligible for a long term disability insurance claim can take several steps. The following tips will help you to determine if you can and should file a claim.

• Do you own an active long term disability policy or a short term policy with an option for long term coverage? You will need to ensure this policy is in effect and paid currently in order for you to make a claim.
• Where you insured through a covered event? Some accidents and injuries may not be covered by the insurance company. Read through your policy's documentation to determine if the accident and injury you have incurred is one that is covered by the policy. If you do not have this documentation, call the company directly to inquire.
• Do you have the necessary documentation from your doctor stating that you are unable to work? You may need to supply specific forms from your doctor to the insurance company to determine eligibility for the insurance coverage.

Follow your insurance company's directions for submitting a long term disability insurance claim. If you do encounter a situation where you are told your claim is not eligible, you can correct the claim and re-file it, correctly any of the problems the claim contained, or you can contact a disability attorney to help you get your disability claim filed.