Sustaining an injury that renders you unable to work can be devastating. If you have recently been injured, then you know that long term disability payments can help you overcome the financial hardships associated with a serious injury. To ensure that your claim is processed as smoothly as possible, it's important that you are prepared before you fill out your disability claim.
Here are three things to review before filing to increase the odds that your claim will be filed successfully.
1. Know your insurance policy.
Understanding your disability insurance policy is critical when it comes to filing a claim. Each policy contains unique terms and conditions that you must meet in order to be eligible for financial assistance.
By understanding what specific terms and conditions apply to your injury, you will be able to provide documentation that ensures you are eligible for long term disability benefits.
2. Know your job description.
In order to be eligible to receive benefits when filing a disability claim, you must be able to prove that you are no longer physically capable of performing your job. Asking your human resources representative for a written copy of your job description will help you determine if your injury will prevent you from fulfilling your duties as assigned. You can also consult the United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles for more information.
Combining this information with your personal knowledge of the tasks you complete on a daily basis will help you be prepared to prove that your injury qualifies you to receive financial assistance.
3. Know the importance of the onset date.
The onset date is the date you became too disabled to work. This sounds like it should be a straightforward calculation, but the onset date can be affected by things like pre-existing conditions and insurance waiting periods.
You will want to shoot for the earliest possible onset date when filing your claim to maximize your benefits, but be prepared to have an insurance representative check into your previous medical history for any pre-existing conditions for 3-12 months prior to your injury before approving your claim.
Filing for disability can be a difficult process, but arming yourself with some basic knowledge before filing can help expedite the process. Be sure that you take the time to read through the terms and conditions of your policy, obtain a copy of your job description, and determine the appropriate onset date to make filing for long term disability benefits a little easier. Contact an attorney like Scott E. Shaffman Attorney At Law for more information.
Share17 August 2015
After you have endured a traumatic, life-changing car accident, it can be hard to transition back into your everyday routine. As friends and family members chat about upcoming outlet mall sales or holiday plans, you might be secretly worried about how to pay your medical bills or forget about that wreck. Fortunately, dealing with your car accident case proactively by working with an attorney can really help. After I was involved in a car accident a few years back, my attorney stood by my side and helped me to argue for what was rightfully mine. I made this website to teach others what to do if they are involved in an accident.