If a medical condition prevents you from working for an extended period, you can apply for long-term disability benefits through your insurance plan.

The application usually involves forms completed by you, your doctor and, if you have LTD coverage through work, your employer.

Don’t wait until your short-term benefits or other income support is about to end. If it appears that you will remain unable to work, find out when your LTD coverage begins and start preparing your application early.

💡 This guide is about long-term disability insurance. LTD benefits are different from CPP Disability and other government disability benefits, which have their own application processes.

For a focused look at the process in Ontario, read our guide to applying for long-term disability benefits in Ontario.

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How to Apply for Long-Term Disability in Canada

Every insurance plan is different, but most LTD applications follow the same basic process.

1. Confirm When Your LTD Coverage Begins

Start by checking your long-term disability policy or benefits booklet.

Look for:

  • The waiting or elimination period before LTD benefits can begin

  • The definition of disability you must meet

  • The amount of income the policy covers

  • Deadlines for submitting your claim and supporting information

If you’re receiving short-term disability benefits, don’t assume that LTD will begin automatically when STD ends. You may need to submit a separate application and new medical information.

If you don’t have your policy, read our guide on how to obtain your long-term disability policy.

2. Get the LTD Application Package

Ask for the application forms as soon as you know that your medical leave could continue into the LTD period.

You can normally get the forms from:

  • Your employer or human resources department

  • Your benefits administrator

  • The insurance company

If you purchased an individual disability policy yourself, contact the insurer directly.

Ask for the complete package and confirm where each form must be sent.

3. Complete Your Claimant Statement

Your part of the LTD application can be called the claimant statement, employee statement or notice of claim.

It usually asks about:

  • Your medical condition and symptoms

  • When you stopped working

  • Your treatment and medications

  • Your job and regular duties

  • How your condition affects your ability to work

  • How your condition affects your daily activities

Be honest, specific and complete.

Don’t simply write that you are “unable to work.” Explain what symptoms you experience and what they prevent you from doing.

For example, depending on your condition, explain problems with sitting, standing, lifting, concentration, memory, fatigue, pain, anxiety, attendance or completing tasks consistently.

⚠️ Review the form before submitting it. Your answers become part of the insurer’s claim file and can be compared with your medical records and information you provide later.

4. Have Your Employer Complete Its Form

If your LTD insurance is provided through work, the application package normally includes a form for your employer or plan administrator.

The employer can be asked to confirm information such as:

  • Your job title and duties

  • Your income

  • Your last day worked

  • Your benefit coverage

  • Information needed to calculate your LTD benefit

Follow up to make sure the form has actually been completed and sent. Don’t assume that your employer has submitted it.

If you have an individual policy that isn’t connected to your employment, an employer form may not be required.

5. Ask Your Doctor to Provide Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is one of the most important parts of an LTD application.

Your doctor or other treating professional will normally be asked to complete an attending physician’s statement or medical form.

The information should clearly explain:

  • Your diagnosis, symptoms or medical condition

  • The treatment you are receiving

  • What your condition prevents you from doing

  • Why you can’t perform the important duties of your job

  • Your expected recovery or treatment plan, where known

A diagnosis by itself doesn’t explain why you can’t work. The insurer needs to understand how the condition actually affects your ability to function.

A short statement such as “patient is unable to work” can leave important questions unanswered.

Read our guide to medical reports and long-term disability claims for more information.

6. Submit Your LTD Application Before the Deadline

Check your policy and application package for the deadline that applies to your claim.

Don’t assume that you can wait until your LTD benefits are supposed to begin.

Before submitting the application:

  • Make sure you completed every required question

  • Confirm that your doctor completed the medical form

  • Confirm that the employer form has been sent, if required

  • Include any supporting medical records requested

  • Keep a complete copy of everything submitted

  • Keep proof showing when the application was sent or received

If you believe a deadline has already passed, don’t assume that you have lost your right to benefits. Get legal advice promptly.

7. Respond to the Insurer’s Questions and Requests

Submitting the forms usually doesn’t end the application process.

The insurer can ask for:

  • More medical records

  • Updated information from your doctor

  • Clarification about your job duties

  • A telephone interview

  • Additional forms or signed authorizations

  • An independent medical examination

Respond to reasonable requests promptly, but read everything carefully before signing or sending it.

Keep copies of every email, letter and document connected to the claim.

Our LTD claim checklist explains what records you should keep.

What Forms Do You Need to Apply for LTD?

Most employer-sponsored LTD applications have three main parts:

  1. Claimant or employee statement: completed by you

  2. Attending physician’s statement: completed by your doctor or treating professional

  3. Employer or plan sponsor statement: completed by your employer or benefits administrator

The names and exact forms vary between insurers and policies.

You can also be asked to sign an authorization allowing the insurer to obtain medical or other information needed to assess the claim.

What Medical Evidence Do You Need for an LTD Application?

Your medical evidence should show more than the name of your condition.

The key question is how your health prevents you from doing your job.

Depending on your condition, useful evidence can include:

  • Reports from your family doctor

  • Specialist reports

  • Diagnostic test results

  • Psychological or psychiatric reports

  • Treatment and rehabilitation records

  • Information about medications and significant side effects

Not every LTD claim needs every type of record. What matters is that the medical evidence clearly explains your condition, your treatment and why you can’t perform your work.

When Should You Apply for Long-Term Disability?

Start the application before your LTD waiting period ends whenever possible.

If you are already receiving short-term disability benefits and it is becoming clear that you won’t be ready to return to work, find out what is required for LTD.

Don’t assume:

  • Your STD claim will automatically become an LTD claim

  • The insurer will contact you when it is time to apply

  • Your employer will submit everything for you

Your policy controls the timing and deadlines. Starting early gives you more time to collect forms and medical evidence before your income is at risk.

What Happens After You Submit an LTD Application?

The insurance company reviews the application and decides whether you meet the policy’s definition of disability.

During that review, the insurer can:

  • Ask questions about your application

  • Request more medical information

  • Contact your treating professionals

  • Review your occupational duties

  • Arrange additional medical or functional assessments

If your claim is approved, the insurer should explain when payments begin, how much you will receive and what information it will need from you going forward.

Approval doesn’t mean that the claim will never be reviewed again. Continue treatment and keep your LTD records organized while you receive benefits.

Common LTD Application Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying too late: Find out the deadline before the waiting period ends.

  • Giving vague answers: Explain what your symptoms actually prevent you from doing.

  • Relying only on a diagnosis: Medical evidence should explain why the condition prevents you from working.

  • Assuming your doctor or employer submitted their forms: Follow up and confirm.

  • Guessing at dates or medical information: Be accurate and say when you don’t remember.

  • Failing to keep copies: Save everything you send and receive.

What if Your Long-Term Disability Application Is Denied?

A denied LTD application doesn’t mean that you aren’t disabled or that the insurer’s decision is correct.

Claims can be denied because the insurer says:

  • There isn’t enough medical evidence

  • Your condition doesn’t prevent you from working

  • The medical records don’t support the restrictions you reported

  • You don’t meet the policy’s definition of disability

  • A policy exclusion or limitation applies

Get the decision in writing and find out exactly why the claim was denied.

Don’t automatically assume that repeatedly appealing to the same insurer is your best option. Speak with a disability lawyer about the strongest way to challenge the decision.

Read our guide on what to do when your long-term disability claim is denied.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for LTD

How Do I Apply for Long-Term Disability in Canada?

Get the LTD application package from your employer, benefits administrator or insurance company. Complete your claimant statement, have your doctor provide the required medical information, make sure the employer section is completed if required, and submit everything before the deadline in your policy.

Do I Apply Through My Employer or the Insurance Company?

If your LTD coverage is provided through work, you can usually start by contacting your employer or benefits administrator. Some employers direct you to the insurance company to complete the claim directly.

Do I Need a Doctor to Apply for Long-Term Disability?

An LTD application normally requires medical information from a doctor or other appropriate treating professional. The insurer needs medical support showing why your condition prevents you from working.

Can I Apply for LTD While I’m Still on Short-Term Disability?

Yes. If you are expected to remain unable to work when STD ends, you should normally begin preparing your LTD application before your short-term benefits run out.

Does Approval for Short-Term Disability Mean LTD Will Be Approved?

No. LTD is a separate benefit and can require a separate application, updated medical evidence and a different review by the insurer.

What if My Employer Hasn’t Submitted Its Part of the LTD Application?

Follow up with the employer or benefits administrator in writing and confirm what remains outstanding. Also tell the insurer that you completed your part and are waiting for the employer’s form.

Get Help With Your Long-Term Disability Claim

A complete LTD application gives the insurance company the information it needs to understand why your medical condition prevents you from working.

If your application is delayed, the insurer keeps requesting more information or your claim is denied, get advice before the problem gets worse.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP represents people with long-term disability claims throughout Canada, excluding Quebec.

Our disability lawyers can review problems with your LTD claim and challenge an insurance company that refuses to pay benefits.

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