If you’re unable to work because of an illness or injury, long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide financial stability while you recover.
This national guide explains:
- What long-term disability means in Canada
- Who qualifies
- How to apply
- How long benefits last
- What to do if your insurance company denies or cuts off your claim
- Where to find province-specific LTD rules
What Is Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Long-term disability insurance provides monthly income replacement when a medical condition prevents you from working for a prolonged period.
Most LTD plans in Canada:
- Replace 60–70% of your regular income
- Require medical evidence from a doctor
- Cover both physical and mental health conditions
- Provide payments until age 65, depending on your policy
You may have coverage through:
- A group benefits plan at work
- A union plan
- A private individual policy
Who Qualifies for LTD in Canada?
To qualify, you must meet the disability definition in your insurance policy.
Most policies require:
During the First 2 Years (“Own Occupation”)
You must be unable to perform the essential duties of your own job.
After 2 years (“any occupation”)
You must be unable to work in any role suited to your education, training, or experience.
Insurers expect:
- Clear medical documentation
- Ongoing proof of disability
- Compliance with reasonable treatment
If your doctor supports that you can’t work safely or consistently, you should qualify for LTD.
How to Apply for Long-Term Disability in Canada
Applying for LTD benefits typically requires three forms:
- Claimant Statement – completed by you
- Attending Physician Statement – completed by your doctor
- Employer Statement – if you are covered by a workplace plan
You will also need to submit:
- Test results
- Clinical notes
- Specialist reports
- A list of medications and treatments
Missing information or late submissions can delay or derail your claim, so it’s important to be thorough.
How Long Do LTD Benefits Last in Canada?
Most LTD policies pay benefits:
- Until age 65, or
- Until you no longer meet the policy’s disability definition
Some plans include:
- Rehabilitation or gradual return-to-work programs
- Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
- Partial disability benefits
Every policy is different — review the fine print carefully.
Why Long-Term Disability Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies frequently deny LTD applications, even when the medical evidence is strong. Common reasons include:
- Insufficient “objective” medical evidence
- Late forms or missing information
- Alleged improvement in your condition
- Surveillance or social media activity
- A change in disability definition after 2 years (Total Disability)
- Claims flagged as “pre-existing”
A denial doesn’t mean your claim is invalid — it means the insurer is protecting its bottom line.
What to Do if Your LTD Claim Is Denied or Cut Off
If your LTD claim has been denied or your benefits were suddenly stopped:
- Don’t panic
Denials are extremely common. - Don’t appeal internally
Internal appeals are handled by the same insurer that denied you. - Get legal advice quickly
A disability lawyer can review your policy, collect and organize medical evidence, start a legal claim to get your benefits or a fair settlement, and communicate directly with the insurer on your behalf
You may still be owed months or years of income, depending on your situation.
Province-Specific LTD Guides
LTD rules — especially around employment standards, human rights, and legal processes — differ across Canada.
Choose your province for detailed, localized LTD information:
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland & Labrador
Each provincial guide includes local timelines, insurer behaviour, employment protections, and region-specific advice.
Do You Need a Disability Lawyer?
If your LTD claim has been denied, delayed, or cut off, you don’t need to handle the insurance company alone.
At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our national disability law team can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Challenge an unfair decision
- Build strong medical evidence
- Negotiate a fair settlement and compensation, or reinstatement of benefits (Read about our success for clients like Sandra Bullock and Julie Austin)
We work on a contingency fee basis — you don’t pay unless we succeed.
Why Canadians Trust Samfiru Tumarkin LLP
We’ve helped over 50,000 Canadians secure the compensation they deserve. Let us deal with the insurer while you focus on your health.
✅ Insider Advantage: Sivan Tumarkin, co-founding partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, previously worked for insurance companies. Now, he and his team use that knowledge to advocate for disabled individuals across Canada. He knows insurers’ strategies, and how to tilt the playing field in your favour.
Free Consultation Across Canada
If your LTD benefits were denied or cut off, contact us for a FREE consultation. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain your options clearly.oday.
📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900, email help@disabilityrights.ca, or request a callback through our online form.
⛔ Note on Government Disability Programs: We do not assist with ODSP, WSIB, WCB, or provincial income-support appeals. This page strictly covers private, workplace long-term disability insurance claims, CPP Disability, and the DTC.