If Canada Life denied your short-term or long-term disability claim — or cut off benefits you were already receiving — don’t assume the insurer got it right. You can still be 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 why the claim was denied, you can challenge the decision through additional evidence, an internal appeal or a legal claim. In some cases, starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer is the better option.
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 decide that your medical evidence doesn’t sufficiently show why 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.
That doesn’t mean Canada Life got the decision right.
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
- Your prognosis and expected return-to-work capacity
If Canada Life denies your claim despite consistent medical support showing that you can’t work, don’t assume you have to accept the decision. A disability lawyer can review the denial, challenge Canada Life’s reasoning and pursue the benefits you’re owed.
Canada Life LTD Denied After 2 Years
The two-year mark is one of the most important stages of an LTD claim. When the definition of disability changes, many people have their benefits cut off even though their health has not improved and they still can’t work.
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.
Canada Life can cut off your LTD benefits if it decides that you are capable of performing suitable alternative work under the new definition.
Read our detailed guide to Canada Life LTD benefits after two years.
Can Canada Life Use Surveillance or Social Media in a Disability Claim?
Yes. You may be watched or recorded by your insurer online and offline as part of a disability claim. Surveillance and publicly available social-media information can be used as evidence when an insurer assesses whether your activities are consistent with your reported restrictions and limitations.
However, being seen doing an everyday activity does not automatically mean you are capable of working..
For example, being able to:
- Go grocery shopping
- Attend a family event
- Take a short walk
- 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.
What matters is whether the evidence actually contradicts your medical restrictions and your ability to function reliably in a work setting.
Should You Appeal a Canada Life Disability Denial?
Canada Life may give you the option to submit additional information or ask it to reconsider an STD or LTD denial.
Don’t automatically assume an internal appeal is your best option. An appeal can use up valuable time you have to take legal action after your disability benefits are denied or cut off. Starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer can be the better option.
An internal appeal can still make sense when there is a specific problem that new evidence can correct, such as:
- Important medical evidence was missing
- Canada Life
- Misunderstood information from your doctor;
- New specialist evidence directly addresses the reason for denial; or
- A factual error can be corrected.
When might an internal appeal not be the best option?
An appeal is often less useful when the problem isn’t missing evidence, but a fundamental disagreement between Canada Life and your doctors about whether you can work.
If your doctors clearly support your inability to work and Canada Life maintains that you are capable of working, repeatedly sending similar evidence may not resolve the 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.
Before starting an internal appeal, speak with a disability lawyer about whether appealing or taking legal action is the better option.
Can You Sue Canada Life for Denied Disability Benefits?
Yes. If Canada Life denies or terminates your disability benefits, you can have the right to start a legal claim against the insurer. You don’t necessarily have to complete every internal appeal before taking legal action.
A legal claim can challenge whether Canada Life was entitled under the policy to deny or terminate your 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
- 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
- Which legal option makes sense in the circumstances
Our disability lawyers bring years of industry experience to these disputes, including experience dealing with major Canadian insurers. That helps us identify where the real disagreement lies, what evidence matters and how to challenge the 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 disability lawyers can review the denial, identify where Canada Life’s decision can be challenged and determine the best way to pursue your benefits.
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
- Deal with Canada Life on your behalf, challenge the denial and pursue the benefits you’re owed
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?
Canada Life can disagree with your doctor, but that doesn’t mean the insurer got the decision right. If the medical evidence supports your inability to work, you can challenge the denial.
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. The two-year mark is a common point when the definition of disability changes, but benefits don’t automatically end. Many people have their benefits cut off around this stage even though their health hasn’t improved. If you continue to meet the new definition of disability, you can remain entitled to LTD benefits.
Should I appeal a Canada Life disability denial?
Don’t automatically assume an internal appeal is your best option. An appeal can help when new or missing evidence directly addresses the reason for denial. However, it can also use up valuable time while the legal limitation period continues to run. In some cases, starting a legal claim with a disability lawyer is the better option.
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?
Yes, depending on your policy, province and circumstances. You don’t necessarily have to complete every Canada Life internal appeal before starting a legal claim. Speak with a disability lawyer about which option makes sense before valuable time passes.
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.