Working is a major part of life, and virtually everyone depends on their job to make ends meet. So, what happens if you are severely injured and left unable to work – ever? This is a question most people never want to have to answer, but unfortunately, there are some illnesses and injuries that can leave a person permanently disabled and unable to return to work.
When this occurs, many people wonder if qualifying for Washington DC ERISA long-term disability insurance is in their future. If you are considering applying for long-term disability benefits at some point, the following information may help you determine if you qualify.
It is important for an individual to understand the definition of “disability” before they file for benefits. Many policies simply state a person is considered disabled if they are unable to perform any the tasks required of any job or career. Other, slightly more hardline policies, define disabled as not being able to perform “most” of the tasks associated with a particular job or career.
In many cases, if a person has received long-term disability benefits for a set amount of time (usually two years), they can only be considered disabled if they are unable to perform the functions of any particular job or career, not just the one they currently hold.
Simply put, if a person is considering applying for long-term disability benefits, they should read the summary plan associated with their policy before making the decision to apply.
Qualifying for Washington DC ERISA long-term disability insurance is no easy task, and even if a person can prove they are physically or mentally disabled according to the definition listed in their policy, they will need to meet other qualifications before they can receive benefits. In many cases, disabled individuals must also meet the following requirements:
These may not be the only requirements a person must fulfill before they are allowed to apply for and claim benefits.
As mentioned above, injured and ill individuals may be required to apply for Social Security Disability at the same time they begin to receive long-term disability benefits. This is largely for financial reasons, and many insurance companies are able to offset the amount a person receives from Social Security against the amount they pay them in long-term disability payments.
Some insurance companies may even provide a disabled person with an attorney if they are denied Social Security Disability.
Long-term disability insurance does not have to be difficult. By taking the time to understand the requirements listed in your policy, you may be able to decide if you qualify before applying. Consult a lawyer today if you are not sure if you qualify for Washington DC ERISA long term disability insurance.
