What Is RBC?
RBC is not just in the banking business; they also provide insurance. The insurance arm of RBC is Canada’s largest insurance company owned by a bank and has its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. RBC offers both individual and group disability insurance plans. RBC also provides administrative services for employers. Some non-profit and public-sector employers draft their own insurance plans and then pay insurance companies like RBC to administer them. Be sure you read and understand the terms of your disability insurance plan before beginning your 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 and it is important to read these terms closely.

‍How Can I Submit A Disability Claim With RBC
‍It is important to understand what type of plan or policy you have with RBC 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 RBC 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 RBC website, and documents can be uploaded as image files. RBC also offers a mobile application called RBC Insurance My Benefits which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. You can also submit your disability benefits claim through the mail. RBC requires that the completed claims form must reach RBC within 90 days of the claimed disability date.


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

Claimant's Statement of Disability
‍This section is to be filled out by you, and will ask for the following information:
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· Contact and employment information
· Salary
· Details of the injury, including the date
· Why your disability prevents you from working
· Contact information for all treatment providers, including pharmacies
· Other sources of income replacement, such as employment insurance

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

Employer's Statement of Disability
‍Your employer or manager is responsible for filling out this form with the following information:
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· Your employment details, including start date
· Whether you have returned to work since the injury
· Salary information
· Other sources of income replacement, including worker’s compensation or pensions
· Any return to work plan
· Attendance records
· Physical demands, cognitive work functions, and environmental demands

‍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 of Disability
‍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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· Medical history
· Primary and secondary diagnoses
· Limitations and restrictions that prevent you from carrying out work duties
· Treatment, including drugs and surgeries
· List of prescribed medications
· Return to work plan
· Any additional comments

Building a winning disability claim with RBC 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 RBC?
‍RBC will look for ways to deny or terminate your disability benefits claim, and one way they do that is by making sure they have up-to-date information on your medical condition. For example, the terms of your plan or policy may require you to notify RBC 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 RBC of any changes to your banking information. RBC 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 at Freedom Disability Lawyers help you review your claim.

When And How Do I Get Paid If My RBC 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 RBC 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 RBC updated on any changes to your banking information so you do not miss these payments.

What Do I Do If My RBC DisabilityClaim Is Denied?
‍Having your disability claim denied is difficult, but it is not the end of the road. RBC 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?”]. If your long term disability claim has been denied by RBC, it may be worth contacting the experienced disability lawyers at Freedom Disability Lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW.

Get Support With Your RBC Disability Claim
‍RBC may have started as a bank, but they are still just as effective as any other insurance company in denying disability benefits claims. Building a winning disability benefits claim with RBC requires proper preparation and an understanding of what RBC is looking for in a successful claim. Freedom DisabilityLawyers 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 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!