Long Term Disability Claim: Building Your Case

Long term disability claim can be made when you are disabled and have had long term disability insurance. Long term disability insurance is a smart way of getting replacement income when you are disabled and hence it is regarded as a strategic way of preparing for a long term disability. In general, any private life or accident insurance policies include these disability benefits also. Once you become totally disabled (unable to go for work), the claim can be placed with the insurer to get the compensatory benefits.

Step 1 – Timely Act

Most of the policy has a statue of limitation, which requires you to file your claim within a set time period. It is a period of 30 days with most of the policies which means that you have to claim within 1 month from when you stopped going to work.

Step 2 – Medical Evaluation Form

Prepare your medical evaluation form and get them duly acknowledged by your physician(s). The form should have a mention about the severity of your functional limitation because of the disability.

Step 3 – Build your Administrative Evidence

These private insurance policies for long term disability benefits are governed by a law called as ERISA (Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974). As the law is stringent, these policies can easily be denied by the insurer when you do not file necessary evidence documents. You can even add a testimonial which details our daily activities and problems faced in performing them. Get your disability testified by a Vocational Expert. Vocational expert is one who can authorize the detailed reports of your disabilities. Such a report is more reliable for a judge or insurer to take final decision about your claim.

Step 4 – Accurate Medical Records

Your medical records have to be accurate as otherwise your claim can easily be denied. Gather the required medical reports within the deadline fixed by the insurance carrier during your claim for long term disability.

Getting Legal Aid

The types of disabilities covered under such insurance policies vary among various policies, but generally they do not cover your work-related injuries or disabilities. Filing and processing of your claim may be more confusing when you do not understand the clauses included in the policy. Hence, you the need assistance of a disability attorney who can build your case effectively to win benefits for your disability.