Long term disability in Ontario provides income support when a medical condition prevents you from working for an extended period. Most Ontarians receive LTD coverage through a workplace benefits plan, a union plan, or a private insurance policy. These benefits replace a portion of your income so you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.

This guide explains:

  • Who qualifies for LTD in Ontario
  • How LTD works in this province
  • What “totally disabled” means under Ontario insurance policies
  • What to do if the insurer denies or cuts off your benefits
  • Whether you can be terminated while on LTD
  • How long benefits last and what happens after 2 years
  • Your rights under Ontario’s Human Rights Code and Employment Standards Act

📍 Serving individuals across Ontario — from Toronto and Ottawa to Hamilton, London, Windsor, Kingston, and beyond.
You don’t pay unless we win your case.

What Is Long-Term Disability in Ontario?

Long-term disability (LTD) benefits provide monthly income when a medical condition prevents you from performing your job.

Most Ontario LTD policies include:

  • 60–70% of your pre-disability income
  • A 90–120 day waiting (elimination) period
  • Payments that may continue until age 65 if you remain disabled
  • Requirements for ongoing medical updates
  • Offsets for other benefits (CPP Disability, WSIB, EI Sickness)

LTD is different from:

You can sometimes qualify for more than one program at the same time, depending on your situation and policy wording.

Who Qualifies for Long Term Disability in Ontario?

To qualify for LTD in Ontario, you must:

  • Have active coverage when your disability began
  • Be unable to perform your job duties due to illness or injury
  • Provide medical evidence to support your limitations

🔎 Looking For a Full List of Qualifying Conditions?

Visit our national guide: What Medical Conditions Qualify for Disability in Canada

Below are some of the most common conditions we see in Ontario LTD claims:

You don’t need to be bedridden.
If your symptoms prevent you from doing the essential duties of your job, you may qualify.

What Does “Totally Disabled” Mean in Ontario?

“Totally disabled” is defined by your insurance policy — not by the medical system, and not by the Ontario government.

1. Own Occupation (first 2 years)

You must show you can’t perform the core duties of your own job.

Examples:

  • A teacher unable to manage a classroom due to severe anxiety
  • A construction worker unable to lift, squat, or work safely
  • An accountant unable to concentrate or process information consistently

2. Any Occupation (after 2 years)

After two years, the definition changes.
You must show you can’t perform any job that fits your education, training, or experience.

This is when many Ontarians have their LTD benefits cut off unfairly — even if nothing has improved medically.

If this happens, do not appeal directly to the insurer. Seek legal advice immediately.

🔎 Want a deeper explanation? Read our full guide on the definition of total disability and how insurers interpret it in real LTD claims: Total Disability Definition

Common Policy Rules in Ontario

All LTD policies include rules that affect your entitlement:

Waiting / Elimination Period

Most Ontario plans require a 90–120 day waiting period before LTD payments start.

Pre-Existing Condition Clauses

If your disability appears soon after starting coverage, the insurer may review your pre-coverage medical history.

Coverage Exclusions

Some conditions or circumstances may be excluded depending on your policy.

Proof of Ongoing Disability

Insurers require updated medical evidence.
If your doctor’s notes are vague, your claim may be delayed or denied.

How to Apply for Long Term Disability in Ontario

1. Confirm Your Coverage

Check your workplace benefits booklet, union agreement, or private policy.

2. Speak With Your Doctor

Your physician must support your time off work and describe your functional limitations, not just the diagnosis.

3. Complete the Required Forms

Most insurers require:

4. Submit Supporting Medical Records

Include:

  • Specialist letters
  • Clinical notes
  • Test results and imaging
  • Medication history

5. Apply Within the Deadlines

Late applications can lead to denial.

If the insurer asks for “more evidence,” contact a disability lawyer before responding. Insurers often use these requests to build a justification for denial.

How Much Do LTD Benefits Pay in Ontario?

Most LTD plans replace 60–70% of your regular income, up to a monthly maximum.

Key Points:

  • Benefits may be taxable or non-taxable depending on who pays the premiums
  • LTD payments can be reduced by CPP Disability, WSIB, and other programs
  • Some plans include annual cost-of-living increases

Example:
If you earn $5,000/month and your plan pays 66.7%, you may receive about $3,335 per month before tax.

How Long Can You Stay on LTD in Ontario?

Most LTD plans in Ontario pay until age 65 as long as you continue to meet the policy’s definition of disability.

Standard LTD timeline:

  • First 2 years: Own occupation
  • After 2 years: Any occupation

Insurers commonly reassess your claim at the 2-year mark and may push for:

If your benefits are cut off at this stage, you may still be entitled to full payments.

What Happens After Two Years on LTD in Ontario?

This is the most common point for wrongful LTD cut-offs.

Insurers may argue:

  • You can work in a “lighter” job
  • You can perform sedentary work
  • You are capable of part-time work
  • Your condition has “improved enough”

Many of these decisions are based on unrealistic assumptions or incomplete information.

Why LTD Claims Get Denied in Ontario

Common insurer reasons:

A denial does not mean your claim is weak — it means the insurer is minimizing payouts.

🔎 Looking for more information? Read our full guide on the common reasons for denial in LTD claims: Common Reasons for Denial and Long-term Disability FAQ

What to Do If Your LTD Claim Is Denied or Cut Off in Ontario

Being denied long-term disability benefits — or suddenly cut off after months or years of payments — is extremely stressful. But in Ontario, a denial doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to LTD. Many insurers make mistakes, overlook medical evidence, or apply the policy unfairly.

👉 For a step-by-step breakdown of what to do next, visit our Long Term Disability Denied Ontario guide.

Here’s what to do next:

  1. Don’t Panic or Assume the Insurer Is Right
  2. Don’t File an Internal Appeal
  3. Speak With Your Doctor
  4. Gather Your Documents
  5. Contact a Disability Lawyer in Ontario As Soon As Possible

Can You Be Fired While on Long Term Disability in Ontario?

Your employer cannot terminate you because of your disability.
Doing so violates the Ontario Human Rights Code.

However, employment may end legally in limited situations:

  • Frustration of contract: Your doctor confirms long-term or permanent inability to return
  • Company-wide layoff or restructuring: Unrelated to your disability
  • Position elimination: For business reasons

Even then, you are still be owed:

If you’re on LTD and receive a termination letter, do not sign anything before speaking with a lawyer.

Returning to Work After LTD in Ontario

Many Ontarians eventually return to work through:

Important rules:

  • Get written medical approval
  • Keep your insurer updated
  • Don’t push yourself too fast
  • If symptoms worsen, LTD benefits can often resume

If your insurer refuses to restart benefits, legal help may be needed.

Can You Travel While on LTD in Ontario?

Yes — but travel can raise red flags.

Before travelling:

  • Review your policy for restrictions
  • Maintain your treatment plan
  • Avoid posting photos that appear inconsistent with your limitations

Insurers sometimes misinterpret harmless activities.
If benefits are cut off after a trip, seek legal advice immediately.

Ontario Case Examples

Your Ontario disability team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped thousands of individuals get their benefits back, including cases involving:

  • Surveillance evidence misinterpreted by insurers → See the Julie Austin Case
  • Incorrect “any occupation” cut-offs → See the Mitch Murphy Matter
  • Chronic pain cases dismissed due to lack of imaging
  • Mental health claims denied despite strong medical support → See the $5.3M Sandra Bullock Case
  • Concussion and neurological cases wrongly minimized

Every case is different — but every insurer uses similar strategies.

Speak to a Long Term Disability Lawyer in Ontario

If your LTD benefits have been denied, delayed, or cut off, you don’t need to deal with the insurance company alone.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our long-term disability lawyers in Ontario will:

  • Review your medical evidence
  • Handle all communication with the insurer
  • Build the strongest possible case
  • Seek reinstatement or negotiate a fair settlement

✅ Professional Insight: Sivan Tumarkin, who leads our disability law practice, uses his decades of knowledge about insurance companies in Ontario to advocate for disabled individuals. He knows their strategies — and how to respond effectively.

You don’t pay unless we win.

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900, email help@disabilityrights.ca, or use our online form for a FREE consultation.

⛔ Our firm handles private and workplace LTD insurance claims, not provincial appeals such as ODSP or WSIB.

Get Help With Your Long-Term Disability Claim in Ontario

If your LTD benefits were denied or cut off, our Ontario disability lawyers can review your case and explain your options. No fees unless we win.

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