Most individuals obtain long-term disability (LTD) benefits coverage through their employers, although some have coverage through individual policies that they have purchased. Under many LTD plans, you can continue receiving LTD benefits until retirement age, which is usually age 65 or 67, as long as you remain disabled and unable to work. However, you likely will not remain employed by your employer if you receive LTD benefits for several years.

If an insurance company is making your LTD payments, which is usually the case, the termination of your employment will not cause those payments to stop. If your employer is making your LTD payments, however, it is possible to lose your benefits if your employment terminates, but it is rare. In most cases, you will continue to receive your LTD benefits, whether you remain employed or not.

One factor to consider is that under many LTD policies, you generally must continue to receive medical treatment for your condition. If you lose your employment, however, you also may lose your health insurance. Without health insurance, you may find it difficult to see your doctor regularly or get other needed medical care. Therefore, you should be sure to secure another form of medical insurance if your employment is going to terminate. Otherwise, you could risk losing your LTD benefits.

Likewise, you may be eligible to apply for LTD benefits even after you lose your job. The critical date is the onset date of your disability, rather than the date that you ceased employment. Many employees who become disabled and eventually are unable to work try to maintain their jobs for as long as possible. If you became disabled while you were still working and had LTD benefits coverage, then you still can file a claim for benefits, even if you are no longer working. In this situation, you would need to have evidence proving that you became disabled while still an employee, and not after your employment ended if you want to be eligible for LTD benefits.

Obtaining long-term disability coverage can be essential to protecting your future. When you initiate a claim under this coverage, however, you need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities, which may necessitate the assistance of legal counsel. 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.