Desjardins Insurance Disability Benefits
Large insurance companies like Sun Life are making it easier and easier to apply for disability benefits. That does not mean it is always easy to submit a winning claim. Knowing what forms you need to fill out, how you can submit them, and what kind of supporting documentation you need is crucial to making sure you submit the strongest disability benefits claim you can.In today’s post, Freedom Disability Lawyers will be guiding Canadians through how to apply for disability benefits through SunLife..
What Is Desjardins?
Desjardins is one of the largest insurance companies in Canada, having taken over the Canadian operations of State Farm in2015. With its headquarters in Lévis, Quebec, Desjardins offers both individual and group disability insurance plans. Desjardins also offer administrative services for non-profit and public sector employers. This means that your employer has drafted their own insurance policy and Desjardins has been tasked with administering it. It is important that you read the terms of your disability insurance policy closely before proceeding with a disability benefits claim.
How Do I Know If I Have Been 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 andit is important to read these terms closely.
How Can I Submit A Disability ClaimWith Desjardins?
It is important to understand what type of plan or policy you have with Desjardins 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 or if Desjardins is serving as the administrator for a non-profit insurance plan you might belong to. Desjardins provides several ways you can apply for disability benefits. Disability claims can be submitted online using the Desjardins website, and documents can be uploaded as image files. Desjardins also offers a mobile application called my Omni which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. You can also submit your disability benefits claim through the mail or fax, and Desjardins advises that you retain copies for your records.
Regardless of how you submit your disability claim to Desjardins, there are three critical things that you will need to submit. Double check that all forms are filled out correctly before submitting.
Employee Statement
You are required to fill out this portion of the application and you will be asked for the following information:
· Contact information
· Level of education and work experience
· Description of the incident
· Contact information for any treatment providers
· Void cheque for direct deposit
You will also be asked to authorize Desjardins to access your medical records for the purpose of evaluating your claim.
Employer Statement
Your employer or manager is responsible for filling out this form with the following information:
· Salary details
· Schedule and job status
· Description of the physical work environment
· Details related to physical tasks
· Types of equipment used at work and how frequently they are used
· Any additional information your employer thinks is necessary
Even though your employer fills out this form, you will still need to read it over and certify that the description is a true and accurate account of your regular work duties. Be sure to read this section over closely and raise any concerns you have with your employer.
Initial Attending Physician'sStatement
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:
· Diagnosis
· Functional limitations preventing you from carrying out work duties
· Treatment, including drugs and surgeries
· Follow-up and prognosis
· Medical history
Building a winning disability claim with Desjardins 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.
What Obligations Do I Have Once IHave Submitted A Disability Claim to Desjardins?
As one of Canada’s largest insurance companies, Desjardins is quite good at denying or terminating disability benefits and one of the most common reasons is if you fail to inform Desjardins about any changes in your medical condition. For example, the terms of your plan or policy may require you to notify Desjardins 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 Desjardins of any changes to your banking information.
Desjardins 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.
Read the terms of your policy carefully or have an experienced disability lawyer atFreedom Disability Lawyers help you review your claim.
When And How Do I Get Paid If My Desjardins 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 Desjardins time to evaluate your claim.
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.Keep Desjardins informed of any changes to your banking information so you do not miss these payments.
What Do I Do If My DesjardinsDisability Claim Is Denied?
Having your disability claim denied is difficult, but it is not the end of the road.Desjardins 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 disabilityinternal appeal?”].
If your long term disability claim has been denied by Desjardins, it may be worth contacting the experienced disability lawyers at Freedom Disability Lawyers fora FREE CASE REVIEW.
Get Support With Your Desjardins Disability Claim
Just because Desjardins may have simplified the process of submitting a disability benefits claim does not mean they won’t deny your claim. Proper preparation is key for submitting your claim. Desjardins is always on the lookout for any reason to deny your claim.
FreedomDisability 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].
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!
