When do you qualify for long term disability? You may qualify for long term disability in Illinois if your employer has long term disability insurance, and you suffer from a disability that renders you unable to work.
What would happen if you were suddenly unable to work as a result of an accident or injury? Would you be able to pay your bills? Would you know what to do to get the help you need?
The Chicago disability lawyers at Ankin Law understand just how scary and confusing it can be if you are suddenly unable to work as a result of an accident or injury. We work with clients to help them obtain full and fair compensation, including workers’ compensation benefits, Social Security benefits, long-term disability benefits, and personal injury damages.
What Is Long Term Disability in Illinois?
Long-term disability insurance is often an employment benefit provided by employers. Individual plans may vary; however, ordinarily, the plan provides employees with benefits equal to a percentage of their salary if they become disabled and cannot work. Unlike federal disability programs like Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplement Security Income (SSI), an employer’s insurance company will decide whether an employee is eligible for long-term disability benefits. Because insurance companies are for-profit companies, they are frequently reluctant to approve claims or may seek to pay less than an employee is owed.
When Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability in Illinois?
Your employer’s insurance company provides basic eligibility criteria for long term disability benefits. You may qualify for benefits for long term disability in Illinois if you suffer from a disability that prevents you from working. The amount of benefits you receive is typically a set percentage of your average wages earned pre-disability at your employers.
To have a claim for long term disability benefits, you likely need to be unable to work at your job for a certain amount of time. Additionally, you usually need to file a claim for long term disability benefits during that time. For example, you may have to be absent from your job for at least six months because of the disability and file the claim within that time.
How Long Does Long Term Disability in Illinois Last?
It depends. Your employer’s insurance company may only pay for the first two years that you’re unable to work at the current job. Subsequently, the insurance company may only pay if you can show that you can’t work any job because of the disability. Insurance policies and situations vary, so the best way to help make sure you know what you may be eligible for is to talk to a long term disability attorney.
How Can a Long Term Disability Illinois Lawyer Help Me Maximize My Benefits?
Talking with a long term disability Illinois attorney can help you understand whether you have a valid claim. A long term disability lawyer may also help you gather the necessary information to file your claim. Furthermore, let’s say that your employer or their insurance company refuses to pay benefits for your valid claim for long term disability. An attorney may be able to help you appeal the decision and help get you the benefits you need.
Suffer from a disabling injury that prevents you from working? A workers’ compensation attorney may help you file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. They may also defend your claim for benefits at your workers’ comp hearing.
The Illinois long-term disability attorneys at Ankin Law focus on helping injured and disabled workers recover the maximum compensation to which they are entitled. Contact our office at (312) 600-0000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Chicago disability lawyers to learn more about Illinois long-term disability benefits.
