How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Long-Term Disability Approval

When medical conditions prevent you from working for a year or longer, long-term disability benefits available through your employer can help offset lost wages. At Bartolic Law, we provide trusted legal guidance in filing a claim and appealing denied benefits. Our Skokie long-term disability lawyer suggests ways to improve your chances of getting your claim approved. 

How to Protect Your Rights to Long-Term Disability Benefits

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as many as one out of every four adults in Illinois suffers from some type of disability. If your condition prevents you from working for a year or longer, you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits through your employer. 

Unfortunately, many claims end up getting denied, delayed, or disputed. To protect your rights to employer-provided disability benefits, follow these steps in filing your claim. 

1. Thoroughly review the terms of your policy.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) dictates how employer-provided benefits are administered. Under ERISA, you are entitled to copies of all policy-related documents, free of charge and at your request. Thoroughly review these documents prior to filing a claim, paying close attention to policy terms, qualified conditions, and any exclusions that may apply. 

2. File your claim as soon as you are unable to work.

It can take long months to get a long-term disability claim approved. To protect the financial security of you and your family, file your claim as soon as you become disabled and are determined to be unable to work for a year or longer. 

3. Thoroughly document your medical condition.

As part of the long-term disability benefits application process, you will need to provide medical records, statements from your doctor, and other information about your case. Be sure that you have all required documentation, have a firm diagnosis from your doctor, and have undergone all recommended testing and treatment. 

4. Respond promptly to communications from the insurer.

Once you file a long-term disability claim, be watching for requests for additional information or other communications from the insurer. Failure to respond could result in denial of your benefits. 

5. Reach out to our Skokie long-term disability lawyer.

If your claim is delayed, disputed, or denied, reach out to our Skokie long-term disability lawyer immediately. Under ERISA, you have the right to appeal the insurer’s decision. However, you only have a limited amount of time, and there are complex rules and procedures regarding the appeals process that must be followed. 

Contact Our Skokie Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today

At Bartolic Law, we provide trusted legal guidance and professional representation for people with long-term disabilities, helping them get the benefits they are entitled to. To get our Skokie long-term disability lawyer on your side, call or contact our office online and request a consultation today.