Some employers equip their staff with benefit packages that include long-term disability insurance. This is to protect both the employer and the employee of any losses that may occur due to sudden illness or injury.
Common Insurance Companies that employers use include, but is not limited to:
If your employer has not supplied you with an insurance benefits package, and you are suffering medically, financially and/or socially due to a sudden illness or injury, then it may be wise to contact an attorney for disability benefits.
The Canadian government provides several agencies to help those who do not have insurance and need access to long-term disability support.
- A disability program supported by the Federal government, under the authority of the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada.
- Administered by Service Canada
- Available to those who have paid into the Canada Pension Plan.
- Disability benefits are paid monthly and are set to cover costs you endure after becoming unable to work due to an injury, illness or other medical condition.
- To review the application, or to begin the application process, click here: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fi-if/index.jsp?app=prfl&frm=isp1151
- A disability program supported by the Provincial government, administered under the authority of the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada.
- Available to those with a disability, providing:
- Financial assistance for essential living expenses
- Family benefits including prescription drug and vision care
- Career counselling, placement, and advancement.
To apply for Income support, you must meet the definition of a “person with a disability”, founded in the act:
Meeting the definition means that:
- you have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one year or more and
- your impairment directly results in a substantial restriction in your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life and
- your impairment, its duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional”_
OR you are a member of a prescribed class:
Members of prescribed classes include:
- A person who, on May 31, 1998, was a recipient, or the spouse of a recipient, of benefits under specific case classes under the Family Benefits Act, 1992._
- A person who is 65+ years old and not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS).
- People who receive either of these disability pension benefits:_
- A person who was a former resident of a Schedule 1 facility under the former Development Service Act (DSA), who ceased to be resident of that facility on or after June 1, 1999
The Schedule 1 facilities under the former DSA include Huronia Regional Centre (Orillia), Rideau Regional Centre (Smith Falls) and Southwestern regional Centre (Blenheim).
Timing
It is important to remember that timing is key when filing a disability claim.
Your disability claim may be granted or denied based on how thorough you’ve approached the application process, what supporting evidence you’ve provided to sustain your claim for personal injury or sudden illness, and making sure to file by the deadlines put in place during the beginning of the application process.
You want to avoid any grounds for denial, and the first step is having a well put-together claim.
If you have any questions or concerns about your disability claim, if you or a loved one have been denied long term disability benefits either through a private insurance, or government agency, contact us now. Our firm provides our clients with the best Toronto disability lawyer suited for their case, no matter where they are in Ontario. We are here to help.
