Long term disability how long

These definitions are often broad and vague, providing insurance companies the opportunity to suggest you could perform an occupation that you cannot. Insurance companies frequently terminate benefits when the definition of disability changes from own occupation to any occupation.

Insurance companies may terminate your benefits on grounds that you are able to do another occupation, even if you are not qualified for it or it would be an unreasonable expectation given your health, age, and experience.

Responding to these termination letters can be challenging. You should contact an attorney if your benefits are terminated and do not believe you can work in any occupation.

Even if you regain functional capacity to return to work in some degree, you may still qualify for reduced LTD benefits. This is typically called partial disability. Like the own occupation and any occupation definitions of disability, the exact definition of partial disability can vary policy to policy.

Some policies require you to remain disabled from your own occupation but allow you to work in another occupation, while others will allow you to work in your own occupation as long as you have had a loss of income as a result of your disability. Even if you continue to meet the definition of disability , LTD policies often contain limitations that restrict the amount of time for which benefits are payable.

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Did you mean " ". Did you mean? Watch his inspiring story to see how disability insurance helped him recover and return to a career in medicine. As you can probably tell, short term and long term disability insurance policies are designed to work together. Short term disability is intended to cover you immediately following a serious illness or injury, and long term disability insurance is intended to maintain income replacement if your condition keeps you out of work past the end of your short term disability benefit period, even to retirement, depending on your plan.

Many employers offer disability insurance to their employees at no cost or at a discounted group rate, so check with your employer to see if a disability insurance policy is available. Even if you do have an employer-sponsored plan available to you, you may wish to purchase additional coverage through an individual policy.

Individual disability insurance elimination and benefit periods may differ from group disability insurance, but a financial representative can help you choose the right coverage for your situation. What does disability insurance do? Most SSDI applicants are actually rejected — and the benefits are typically lower than with a private plan.

The benefit period is always limited to a certain number of years which is clearly stated in the policy. A few companies, including Guardian offer coverage to age How disability policies work There are two main types of policies: Short term disability insurance or STD is for temporary disabilities and is designed to provide benefits months and almost never more than a year , or until you can get back to work. Every policy — whether long term or short term, should clearly define these three items: The benefit period: The total length of time you can receive benefits.

For STD this will typically not be more than a year; for LTD it could range from two years to retirement, or until you recover and are no longer disabled. The definition of disability: Every policy has a specific definition of disability insurance stating what is needed to qualify for benefits. But you want to make sure the premiums are affordable, because a lapsed policy will leave you without any protection. Why to choose a longer waiting period — If you have an STD policy, a working spouse or savings and assets that can carry you for a while, then an LTD plan with a longer elimination period can lower your premiums — or help make a longer benefit period below more affordable.

Ask a lot of questions — and make sure you get clear answers: How much coverage can I qualify for? How does the definition of disability work? Is it own-occupation or any-occupation? What conditions are covered?