According to a recent news article, the Social Security Administration estimates that one in four workers will become disabled at some point during their working lives. Over 20 million adults who are of working age report some sort of disability. Whether it is arthritis, back or other musculoskeletal issues, mental health concerns, or chronic diseases such as diabetes and epilepsy, many working adults should take steps to ensure that they have sufficient long-term disability coverage, particularly if it is offered through their employers, often at little or no cost.

Long-term disability benefits can be key to covering an income gap during periods in which you are unable to work. In fact, many financial advisors tell their clients that having long-term disability insurance coverage is more important than having life insurance. The odds are much more likely that you will be out of work due to an accident or illness for several months than that you unexpectedly will die at a relatively young age. Therefore, along with health insurance and life insurance, you should ensure any working adults in your household have access to long-term disability benefits if needed.

For individuals with coverage through their employers, long-term disability benefits typically provide about 60% of their regular income, although usually only after some sort of waiting period of 30 to 90 days expires. If this amount of income will be insufficient to cover your expenses during any prolonged period of disability, then you may wish to investigate whether you can purchase additional coverage through your employer, or if you should add a privately-purchased individual disability policy, although that option is likely to be more expensive than a group policy through your employer. Individuals who are self-employed also may have the opportunity to purchase disability policies through their membership in professional organizations. When you apply for long-term disability benefits, you need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities under your long-term disability plan. At Bonnici Law Group, we offer you client-centered representation at all stages of the long-term disability benefit claims process. When you need the kind of help that only an experienced long-term disability benefits attorney can offer you, contact Bonnici Law Group at 858-261-5454 or help@bonnicilawgroup.com.