How Do I Know If I HaveBeen Disabled?

If you are unable to work as a result of your disability, you are likely entitled to long term disability benefits. The precise definition of “disabled” will be laid out in your policy and it is important to read these terms closely.

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How Can I Submit A Disability Claim With Canada Life?

It is important to understand what type of plan or policy you have with Canada Life before beginning the disability benefits claim process. Read the terms of the plan or policy carefully to determine if you have a group or individual plan. The term “Plan Sponsor” refers to the organization that purchased your insurance plan, typically your employer.

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Canada Life provides several ways you can apply for disability benefits. Group disability benefits claims can be submitted online using Canada Life’s GroupNet website, and documents can be uploaded. You can also submit your disability benefits claim through the mail, by fax, or over email. If you have a group disability benefits plan through your employer, Canada Life recommends contacting your employer for assistance with submitting your claim.

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Regardless of how you submit your disability claim to Canada Life, there are three critical things that you will need to submit. Double check that all forms are filled out correctly before submitting.

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Disability Income Benefits Employee Statement

You are required to fill out this portion of the application and you will be asked for the following information:

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· Contact information

· Employment details

· Medical information including details of accident

· Treatment history and treatment providers

· Banking information

· Other sources of income or coverage (for example, CPP-D)

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You will also be asked to authorize Canada Life to access your medical records for the purpose of evaluating your claim and provide banking information including a void cheque.

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Consent Form

This form authorizes Canada Life to exchanges information with

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· Your employer

· Your healthcare providers

· Union representatives

· Administrators of your insurance plan and any other benefits programs you might be using

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This information will be used to investigate and assess your claim and may be used to help your employer structure a return to work plan.

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Your employer is responsible for providing Canada Life with an accurate report of your day to day work duties, including physical requirements. If you have concerns that your employer has not accurately represented the character of your work to Canada Life, you may want to contact an experienced disability lawyer.

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Physician's Initial Statement

This form is to be filled out by your treating physician. Your signature will be required on this form to authorize the release of this medical information. The physician will be asked to provide information about the following:

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· Last date worked and anticipated return to work

· History of prescribed medications

· Diagnosis

· Description of treatments, including frequency and response

· Clinical findings and observations

· Cognitive and physical abilities and limitations

· Prognosis and potential for return to work

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Building a winning disability claim with Canada Life requires a supportive physician statement. Your physician should be able to speak to how your disability is affecting your work. If your physician is unwilling or unable to fill out the attending physician statement, you may need to find a physician who will be supportive of your disability claim [hyperlink to “What happens if my doctor does not support my long-term disability claim?”]. Depending on the nature of your disability, it may be worthwhile to seek out treatment from a specialist to strengthen your disability benefits claim.

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What Obligations Do I Have Once I Have Submitted A Disability Claim to Canada Life?

Canada Life now has the combined experience of three insurance companies and they are skilled at putting that to use when denying incomplete or flawed disability benefits claims. Once you have submitted your claim, you still have some obligations to Canada Life.  For example, the terms of your plan or policy may require you to notify Canada Life of any improvement in your medical condition, any return to work, and any entry into a training or rehabilitation program. You are also required to notify Canada Life of any changes to your banking information.

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Canada Life will assign you a disability case manager who may reach out to you or your physician for more details regarding your claim. Though these calls may be stressful, it is important to be honest with your disability case manager so they do not have a reason to deny your disability benefits claim.

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Read the terms of your policy carefully or have an experienced disability lawyer at Freedom Disability Lawyers help you review your claim.

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When And How Do I Get Paid If My Canada Life Disability Claim Is Successful?

Long term disability claims are subject to an “elimination period,” which is the time between when you became disabled and when your long term disability benefit payments start. This allows Canada Life time to evaluate your claim.

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If your claim is approved, you will be paid via direct deposit on a monthly basis. The disability benefits you receive will be a percentage of your monthly income. It is important that you provide Canada Life with updated banking information.

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What Do I Do If My Canada Life Disability Claim Is Denied?

Having your disability claim denied is difficult, but it is not the end of the road. Canada Life will present you with the reasons why they denied your claim and you have the chance to appeal it [hyperlink to “What is a long term disability internal appeal?”].

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If your long term disability claim has been denied by Canada Life, it may be worth contacting the experienced disability lawyers at Freedom Disability Lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW.

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Get Support With Your Canada Life Disability Claim

Canada Life might have rebranded, and they might have simplified the process for submitting your disability benefits claim, but they are just as good as ever at denying or terminating claims. Making sure that you have put the proper amount of preparation into your disability benefits claim is necessary for building a winning claim with Canada Life.  

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Freedom Disability Lawyers only practice in the area of disability. We are dedicated to our clients. You can learn more about how we handle disability claims here [hyperlink to FDL article about disability claims].

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If you are in need of legal advice or representation for your disability benefits claim, we serve clients in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Contact us today [contact hyperlink] and tell us more about your claim – we are here to help!

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