Handling Disability Claims in Ottawa

A Change in Eligibility Definition

Benefits you have been steadily receiving can suddenly be denied seemingly inexplicably. Such a situation can arise at any time, but most often occurs at the two year mark. That interruption can be explained by the fact that a majority of disability insurance policies include a change in eligibility definitions after a two-year period.

In other words, for the first two years most policies will pay benefits as long as you are unable to do the job you were doing at the time you became unable to work. At the two year mark, however, most policies will only continue to pay you benefits only if you are unable to work in any other job for which you are reasonably suited.

Often, as the two year mark, approaches, you may notice signs that the insurer intends on terminating benefits at the two year mark, which is often called the “change of definition date”. The insurance company may send you a letter warning you of that change, or asking you to consult a doctor or other medical or disability professional of their choosing in order to obtain a new report on the progress of you condition.