You purchased a short-term disability insurance policy to protect yourself financially if you became injured or ill and were unable to work for a period of time. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always prioritize the needs of their policyholders.
If you have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and attempted to obtain the short-term disability benefits, you aren’t alone. As of publication, there have been more than 6,000 documented cases of coronavirus across Canada, and when those who became ill file a short-term disability claim but are denied, their lives are further impacted by the loss of income.
Below, we go into further detail about when short-term disability benefits are typically approved and how you can go about appealing a denied claim.
Who Typically Qualifies for Short-Term Disability Benefits?
Many employers offer short-term disability plans that you can pay for directly out of your paycheck. Generally speaking, in order to qualify for short-term disability benefits, you need to have used up all of your sick time and have suffered an injury or illness that renders you unable to work for a short period of time.
Short-term disability plans can provide coverage for as few as fifteen weeks or as much as one year, depending on the details of your individual policy. Keep in mind that the insurance company will lose money if they approve your claim, so presenting medical documentation of your condition is critical to the ultimate success of your claim.
People diagnosed with the coronavirus are not the only ones who may be able to access their short-term disability benefits. In fact, if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety, or are struggling with another mental health issue that prevents you from performing your work duties during COVID-19, you may be able to file a claim.
How to Appeal Your Denied Claim
Don’t be surprised if your claim for short-term disability benefits is initially denied. The insurance company is likely receiving many claims and may be looking to deny claims it doesn’t believe warrant approval, no matter what your medical documentation says.
Fortunately, you have the right to file an appeal. Having an experienced lawyer assist you with your appeal could make all the difference in the success of your case.
Your lawyer can help provide additional documentation of your condition and its impact on your life. You can learn more about what to expect from your appeal when you discuss your case with your lawyer.
Get Help from a Toronto Disability Lawyer
When you need help gaining access to the short-term disability benefits that you deserve, contact a respected Toronto disability lawyer at Jasmine Daya & Co. We can be reached through the brief contact form we have provided at the bottom of this page or by phone at 416-967-9100 when you are ready to get started on your appeal.
