If Canada Life denied your short-term or long-term disability claim — or stopped benefits you were already receiving — the decision doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t entitled to disability benefits.
The first step is to understand why Canada Life denied the claim, what your policy or workplace plan requires and whether the medical evidence supports your inability to work.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to provide additional evidence, ask Canada Life to reconsider the decision or pursue a legal claim.
On This Page:
- 1. Why Canada Life Claims Are Denied
- 2. Understanding the Denial Letter
- 3. Medical Evidence
- 4. Should You Appeal?
- 5. Your Legal Options
- 6. FAQs
Why Was My Canada Life Disability Claim Denied?
A Canada Life denial letter should explain why the insurer believes you don’t meet the requirements of your disability plan or policy.
The reason depends on the individual claim, but disability disputes can involve issues such as:
- Insufficient medical evidence: Canada Life may conclude that the information provided doesn’t establish that your condition prevents you from working.
- Unclear functional limitations: Medical records may confirm a diagnosis without clearly explaining how your symptoms affect your ability to perform your job.
- Missing information: Canada Life may be waiting for forms, medical records or other information required to assess the claim.
- Definition of disability: Canada Life may conclude that you don’t meet the disability test contained in your plan.
- Return to work: Canada Life may determine that the available evidence supports a return to your job or another occupation.
- Change of definition: In some LTD policies, the disability test changes after a specified period, commonly around two years.
- Policy exclusions or limitations: Canada Life may rely on a provision in the policy that it says limits or excludes coverage.
- Late claim submission: Canada Life’s current workplace disability materials warn that benefits can be delayed if a claim is submitted late and may be denied if it is submitted after the notice period in the group contract.
The key question isn’t simply whether Canada Life denied the claim. It is whether the reason for the denial is supported by the policy and the evidence.
What Should You Look for in a Canada Life Disability Denial Letter?
Read the denial or termination letter carefully. It can help you determine what Canada Life believes is missing or why it concluded that you don’t qualify.
Look for:
- the specific reason for the denial;
- the definition of disability being applied;
- the policy provision Canada Life relies on;
- the medical information considered;
- whether Canada Life says additional information is needed;
- whether an appeal or reconsideration process is offered; and
- any deadline identified in the letter.
What if the denial letter is unclear?
If you don’t understand why the claim was denied, ask Canada Life for clarification in writing.
Questions can include:
- What specific medical information was considered insufficient?
- What policy definition did Canada Life apply?
- Is any medical or other information outstanding?
- If Canada Life says you can work, what occupation or duties does it believe you can perform?
Keep a copy of the denial letter and your communications with Canada Life.
Canada Life Disability Denied for Insufficient Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is one of the most common areas of disagreement in disability claims.
Canada Life’s own workplace claim materials require medical information from a treating health-care provider. Its forms ask for information such as diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, prognosis and return-to-work information.
For some conditions, Canada Life’s physician forms also request clinical notes, imaging or other test results where relevant.
A diagnosis is not the same as functional disability
A doctor’s note saying that you have depression, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, cancer or another medical condition doesn’t always explain why you can’t perform your job.
Strong medical evidence should accurately explain how the condition affects your ability to function.
Depending on your condition and occupation, relevant limitations could include:
- sitting, standing, walking or lifting;
- concentration and memory;
- energy and stamina;
- attendance and reliability;
- tolerance for stress;
- interacting with other people; or
- side effects from medication or treatment.
If Canada Life says your medical evidence is insufficient, determine whether the issue can be addressed with more complete information from your treatment providers.
See our guide to the Canada Life Attending Physician Statement for more information about medical forms.
Can Canada Life Deny a Claim Even If Your Doctor Says You Can’t Work?
Yes. Canada Life assesses whether you meet the requirements of the disability plan and can reach a different conclusion from your treating doctor.
However, that doesn’t mean the insurer’s conclusion is necessarily correct.
Your doctor’s opinion can be particularly important when it clearly explains:
- your diagnosis and symptoms;
- your restrictions and functional limitations;
- why those limitations prevent you from performing your job;
- your treatment plan; and
- your prognosis and expected return-to-work capacity.
If Canada Life denies your claim despite consistent medical support for your inability to work, a disability lawyer can review the insurer’s reasoning against the policy and medical evidence.
Canada Life LTD Denied After 2 Years
If your Canada Life LTD benefits are terminated around the two-year mark, the decision may relate to a change in the definition of disability.
Many LTD policies initially ask whether you can perform your own occupation. After a specified period, the policy may apply a broader test involving your ability to perform another occupation.
If Canada Life concludes that you can perform suitable alternative work, it may terminate your LTD benefits.
Read our detailed guide to Canada Life LTD benefits after two years.
Can Canada Life Use Surveillance or Social Media in a Disability Claim?
Surveillance and publicly available social-media information can arise in disability insurance disputes generally, although they are not part of every claim.
If this type of evidence becomes an issue in your Canada Life disability claim, the important question is whether what was observed is actually inconsistent with your documented medical restrictions and limitations.
For example, being able to:
- go grocery shopping;
- attend a family event;
- take a short walk; or
- perform an occasional household activity
doesn’t automatically mean that you can reliably perform the duties of full-time employment.
Disability is generally assessed in the context of the policy, medical evidence and your ability to function consistently — not based on one isolated activity.
Should You Appeal a Canada Life Disability Denial?
Canada Life may give you an opportunity to submit additional information or ask for reconsideration after an STD or LTD claim is denied.
An appeal can make sense in some cases.
For example, an appeal may be useful if:
- important medical evidence was missing;
- Canada Life misunderstood your doctor’s information;
- your medical condition has been more clearly documented since the denial;
- new specialist evidence directly addresses the reason for the decision; or
- a factual error can be corrected.
When might an internal appeal not be the best option?
An appeal may be less useful if the dispute isn’t about missing information but rather about a fundamental disagreement over whether you meet the definition of disability.
For example, your doctors may clearly support continued disability while Canada Life maintains that you are capable of working.
In that situation, repeatedly submitting similar evidence may not address the underlying dispute.
How Do You Appeal a Canada Life Disability Denial?
If you decide to appeal, don’t simply send Canada Life the same information again without addressing the actual reason for the denial.
A stronger appeal should generally:
- Identify the reason for the denial. Start with the exact issue Canada Life raised.
- Review the policy. Make sure you understand the disability definition and any relevant exclusions or limitations.
- Address missing evidence. Ask your doctors for information that directly responds to the insurer’s concern.
- Explain functional limitations. Medical evidence should connect your condition to the duties you can’t perform.
- Submit relevant new information. This could include updated medical records, specialist reports or other evidence where appropriate.
- Keep copies. Save everything submitted and confirmation that Canada Life received it.
If you’re unsure whether an appeal is worthwhile, speak with a disability lawyer before preparing it.
Can You Sue Canada Life for Denied Disability Benefits?
Depending on the circumstances, a claimant whose disability benefits have been denied or terminated may have the right to pursue legal action against the insurer.
A legal claim can ask whether Canada Life was entitled under the policy to refuse or terminate benefits.
The appropriate strategy depends on:
- the wording of your policy;
- the reason for the denial;
- your medical evidence;
- the amount and duration of benefits at stake;
- your province; and
- any applicable limitation period.
Many disability disputes are resolved through negotiation without a trial.
What Our Disability Lawyers Look for in a Canada Life Denial
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s disability lawyers have years of experience reviewing denied and terminated disability claims involving major Canadian insurers, including Canada Life.
When we review a Canada Life denial, we look at issues including:
- the exact definition of disability in your policy;
- the reason Canada Life gave for denying or stopping benefits;
- the medical evidence from your doctors and treatment providers;
- whether your functional limitations are clearly documented;
- whether Canada Life and your doctors are interpreting the evidence differently;
- whether a change-of-definition provision applies;
- whether additional medical or vocational evidence could help; and
- which legal option makes sense in the circumstances.
Years of handling disability disputes help our lawyers identify where the real disagreement lies and what evidence may be needed to challenge an insurer’s decision.
How Samfiru Tumarkin LLP Can Help With a Canada Life Disability Denial
If Canada Life has denied your short-term or long-term disability benefits, our lawyers can review the decision and explain whether it can be challenged.
We can:
- review your policy or workplace disability plan;
- review Canada Life’s denial or termination letter;
- assess your medical evidence;
- identify gaps or areas that need clarification;
- advise whether an internal appeal makes sense;
- explain your legal rights and deadlines; and
- communicate with the insurer and pursue a legal claim where appropriate.
Consultations for disability claims are free. If we take on your case, disability matters can be handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning legal fees are paid from the recovery rather than upfront.
➡️ Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to speak with a disability lawyer about your Canada Life disability denial.
Canada Life Disability Claim Denied: FAQs
Why did Canada Life deny my disability claim?
The reason should be explained in the denial letter. Disability claims can be disputed over medical evidence, functional limitations, policy definitions, missing information, return-to-work capacity, exclusions or other plan requirements.
Can Canada Life deny my claim if my doctor says I can’t work?
Yes. Canada Life makes its own assessment of whether you satisfy the disability plan. However, your doctor’s medical opinion can be very important, and Canada Life’s decision may be challenged if the evidence supports your inability to work.
Can Canada Life deny a disability claim because medical forms are incomplete?
Incomplete or missing medical information can affect an insurer’s ability to assess a claim. Canada Life’s current claim materials warn that refusing required consent can result in delay or denial, and that late submission can also affect benefits. If information is missing, determine whether it can be corrected before deciding on your next step.
Does Canada Life automatically deny LTD after two years?
No. Some LTD policies change their definition of disability around the two-year mark, but benefits don’t automatically end. You may continue to qualify if you satisfy the new definition contained in your policy.
Should I appeal a Canada Life disability denial?
It depends on why the claim was denied. An appeal can help when new or missing evidence directly addresses the insurer’s concern. It may be less useful where the dispute is a fundamental disagreement over whether you meet the policy’s definition of disability. Get legal advice before deciding.
How many times can I appeal a Canada Life disability denial?
The internal review process available to you depends on your plan and Canada Life’s decision. More important than the number of appeals is whether another appeal is likely to address the reason for denial and whether legal limitation periods are continuing to run.
Can I sue Canada Life instead of appealing?
Depending on your policy, province and circumstances, legal action may be an available option without completing every internal review step. A disability lawyer can tell you which options are available and whether an internal appeal makes sense first.
How long do I have to challenge a Canada Life disability denial?
Legal limitation periods depend on the province, policy and circumstances of the claim. Don’t assume that the deadline Canada Life gives you for an internal appeal is the same as the deadline to start a lawsuit, or that an appeal stops the legal limitation period. Get legal advice promptly after a denial.
Independent Legal Information: This page was prepared by Samfiru Tumarkin LLP as an independent legal resource for people dealing with disability claims. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is not affiliated with or endorsed by Canada Life. References to issues that may arise during disability claims describe general legal and insurance principles or circumstances that can arise in individual cases. Your rights depend on your policy and individual circumstances.