{"id":12043,"date":"2022-01-13T16:13:34","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T16:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/?p=12043"},"modified":"2023-07-17T13:46:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:46:34","slug":"long-term-disability-mental-health-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/long-term-disability-mental-health-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Long-Term Disability Cover Mental Health Claims?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<iframe height=\"400\" style=\"width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eOegZub6Ov8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key to a successful disability claim is to gather enough evidence to prove that you are in fact disabled. This can be accomplished by staying organized, keeping records of all appointments, and listing any test results or diagnoses on your claim. In the event that you have a mental health condition, it is important to get your diagnosis noted with your doctor. Sharing these details can help you make a case for disability benefits.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Long Term Disability and Mental Illness Claims<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The demand for mental health coverage is growing. Approximately<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.camh.ca\/en\/driving-change\/the-crisis-is-real\/mental-health-statistics#:~:text=In%20any%20given%20year%2C%201,mental%20illness%20or%20addiction%20problem.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> one in five Canadians<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suffer from mental health issues every year and one in two have, or have had, a mental illness by the time they are 40. That translates to millions of individuals who could be affected. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, there is a prevalence of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/blog\/pandemic-mental-health-issues\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> positive screens for mental health <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disorders throughout the pandemic. Twenty-one percent of adults were screened positive for mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder. Moreover, nearly half of disability claims among younger employees in 2021 were related to mental health issues, according to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipsos.com\/en-ca\/news-polls\/four-in-ten-working-canadians-say-theyve-experienced-a-decline-in-their-physical-health\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new report by RBC Insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many types of mental health issues \u2014 any of which can cause disability. Knowing which mental health issue you have will provide a foundation to help prove your disability claim.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Long Term Disability and Depression\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression negatively affects your thoughts, behaviour, feelings, and sense of well-being. Depressive symptoms can be experienced in different combinations and may vary depending on the person. It generally interferes with their social and working life. Here is a list of symptoms you can experience when you are depressed:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Permeative feelings of sadness, loneliness, and worthlessness (lasting for longer than two weeks)<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lethargy<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inability to focus<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delayed speech and slowed physical movements<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unhealthy sleep patterns (excessive sleeping or insomnia)<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in body weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from the above, there are also different types of depression (Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder). To ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis, consult a doctor. The diagnosis process can vary from patient to patient. In some cases, a mental health counsellor or licensed therapist may diagnose depression without the need to see a\u00a0 doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will help you get a fair claim of <a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/long-term-disability\/\">long-term disability<\/a> for depression. It will provide exact details about your symptoms and how they specifically interfere with your ability to perform your duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Long Term Disability and Anxiety<\/b><\/h3>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several types of anxiety disorders. Each form of anxiety is unique and triggers different symptoms. The severity level is also vast, ranging from mild to severe cases. Here are the five major types of anxiety disorders:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panic disorder\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phobias\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to emotional and cognitive symptoms of anxiety disorders, some people experience physical symptoms. These include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid heartbeat<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gastrointestinal issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panic attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these can contribute to your disability. To get long-term disability claims for anxiety, you will need to prove that you are unable to work because of it. Contact a mental health professional, preferably experienced in treating your type of anxiety disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical evidence is important. Without objective medical evidence from your treating doctor and other medical professionals, you are less likely to be successful in getting a disability claim. In most cases, you will also need proof that you are going through the necessary treatment for your anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Types of Mental Health Disability Benefits and Claims<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2250\" height=\"1500\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-12045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1.jpeg 2250w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/01\/pexels-photo-3958470-1-1568x1045.jpeg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2250px) 100vw, 2250px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several kinds of benefits that may help pay for the cost of caring for yourself when living with a mental health disability. From the government, you may be able to get Employment Insurance benefits or Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. There are also different types of benefits that you can receive from your employer. These include health care plans, disability insurance, and sponsored pension.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functioning,\u00a0 you may be entitled to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/revenue-agency\/services\/tax\/individuals\/segments\/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities\/disability-tax-credit.html#DTC\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disability tax credit (DTC)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is a non-refundable tax credit that provides financial assistance when you are disabled, as it is a form of tax equity. DTC provides relief for disability costs because these are additional expenses, which are unavoidable, that others don\u2019t have to worry about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>LTD Limitations on Mental and Nervous Conditions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, despite many people getting diagnosed with mental illnesses, it\u2019s still challenging to be approved for LTD. This is especially true for depression and anxiety, which can be tough to diagnose and even harder to prove. In some cases, the opinion of a physician won\u2019t be enough for insurers to accept your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/disability-claims-for-mental-illness\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long-term disability claim.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take Mary as an example. Mary has been a manager for four years. She has been experiencing burnout and anxiety due to the many pressures of her job. She consulted a physician; however, her insurance company only accepts assessments from physiatrists. But, booking an appointment with a physiatrist would take three months. This is one of the barriers that a claimant may face.<\/span><\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" align=\"left\">\n<table>\n<colgroup>\n<col width=\"208\" \/>\n<col width=\"408\" \/><\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Depression and Bipolar Disorder Documentation for LTD Claim\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep all relevant medical records.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to have all of your medical records ready in case you need to make a claim. You want the doctor treating you to know what treatment was prescribed, why it was prescribed, what symptoms were not being treated,\u00a0 and any other records that are relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a personal journal.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mood tracking is a good way to get to know your symptoms and record the changes it has made in your life. Record those areas that cause the most problems for you. Add as much detail as possible to your entries and note patterns over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get professional help as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sooner you get help, it will be easier for you to experience relief. Seek professional help right away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><b><i><br \/>\nIf you&#8217;re suffering because of a mental health condition, schedule an appointment with Diamond &amp; Diamond lawyers to seek compensation and damages.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n\t\n\t\t\t<section class=\"h-protip-sec\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-md-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Pro Tip <\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><p dir=\"ltr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you&#8217;re experiencing sudden changes in your general well-being, see your therapist because you might be suffering from a mental health condition.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Diamond &amp; Diamond<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Diamond &amp; Diamond and Mental Illness Disability Claims<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term disability can cover mental health claims. However, it is challenging. The denial of claims for mental health benefits by insurance companies is common. In most cases, the disability claim is contested by a company that wants to settle for less than the person&#8217;s actual disability justifies. This is why it is essential to gather all the information you need to make the process easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representing clients with disabilities in insurance claims since 2019, Diamond &amp; Diamond has provided Canadians with the quality legal representation they deserve. Contact <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The key to a successful disability claim is to gather enough evidence to prove that you are in fact disabled. This can be accomplished by staying organized, keeping records of all appointments, and listing any test results or diagnoses on your claim. In the event that you have a mental health condition, it is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12044,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1086,1080,1075],"tags":[1092],"class_list":["post-12043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-depression","category-incapacitation","category-disability","tag-mental-health-claims","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}