Industrial Alliance Insurance Disability Benefits

Industrial Alliance has simplified the disability benefits claim process by allowing you to submit your claim online. Online submissions may be more convenient, but Industrial Alliance may still deny your disability benefits claim if you have not filled it out properly. Building a winning disability benefits claim with Industrial Alliance requires knowing what kind of information they are looking for in your claim.In today’s post, Freedom Disability Lawyers will be guiding Canadians through how to apply for disability benefits through Industrial Alliance.

How To Apply For Disability Benefits From Industrial Alliance



What Is Industrial Alliance?
Industrial Alliance, also know known as iA Financial, is one of Canada’s oldest and largest insurance companies. Founded in 1892, Industrial Alliance has its headquarters in Quebec City, Quebec and offers both group and individual disability insurance plans.Industrial Alliance also provides administrative services to employers that want to outsource the management of their insurance plan. Before beginning a disability benefits claim, be sure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of your disability insurance plan.

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 and it is important to read these terms closely.

How Can I Submit A Disability Claim With Industrial Alliance?
It is important to understand what type of plan or policy you have with Industrial Alliance 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 Industrial Alliance is serving as the administrator for a non-profit insurance plan you might belong to.

Industrial Alliance provides several ways you can apply for disability benefits. Individual disability claims can be submitted online using the Industrial Alliance website, and documents can be uploaded as image files. Group disability benefits claims can be submitted by contacting your employer or plan administrator or by mailing completed forms to Industrial AllianceIndustrial Alliance has simplified the disability benefits claim process by allowing you to submit your claim online. Online submissions may be more convenient, but Industrial Alliance may still deny your disability benefits claim if you have not filled it out properly. Building a winning disability benefits claim with Industrial Alliance requires knowing what kind of information they are looking for in your claim.In today’s post, Freedom Disability Lawyers will be guiding Canadians through how to apply for disability benefits through Industrial Alliance.

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

Member's Statement

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

· Identification

· Reason for the claim

· Description of the incident and why your disability is preventing you from working

· Your current health status

· Contact information for any treatment providers

· Void cheque for direct deposit

You will also be asked to authorize Industrial Alliance to access your medical records for the purpose of evaluating your claim.

Policyholder's Statement

The “Policyholder” is typically your employer. They are responsible for filling out this form with the following information:

· Work schedule and earnings information

· Employment information including date of your injury

· Work demands information

· 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.  

Attending Physician's 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:  

· Diagnosis

· Limitations and restrictions that prevent you from carrying out work duties

· Treatment, including drugs and surgeries

· Follow-up and prognosis

· Medical history

Building a winning disability claim with Industrial Alliance 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 I Have Submitted A Disability Claim to Industrial Alliance?

After more than a century of experience, Industrial Alliance is quite good at denying and terminating disability benefits. One common reason Industrial Alliance might deny or terminate your disability benefits is if you do not keep them updated on your medical condition. For example, the terms of your plan or policy may require you to notify Industrial Alliance 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 Industrial Alliance of any changes to your banking information.

Industrial Alliance 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 MyIndustrial Alliance 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 industrial Alliance 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. It is important that you provide Industrial Alliance with updated banking information.

What Do I Do If My IndustrialAlliance Disability Claim Is Denied?

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

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

Get Support With Your Industrial Alliance Disability Claim

Submitting your disability benefits claim online with Industrial Alliance may seem easy, but it is no guarantee that your claim will be successful. Online submissions are still subject to old school strategies for denying disability benefits claims. Being aware of what Industrial Alliance is looking for in a winning disability benefits claim is key to putting your best foot forward.

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 [hyperlinkto FDL article about disability claims].

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