Is anxiety a long-term disability? Canada officially acknowledges that anxiety is a disability and that the effects of this condition can have long-term effects on your health and normal functioning.
Because anxiety has officially been acknowledged as a mental health condition, it does qualify for disability payments. Sadly, getting disability for anxiety is not always easy.
The Invisible Disability
Health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders should be classified as invisible medical conditions. You cannot physically see any disability, but that does not mean that the person is not suffering and living a restricted life because of their anxiety disorder.
Sadly, many people with mental health conditions suffer in silence. The stigma often attached to these conditions prevents many people from speaking up about their condition. For those who do have the courage to speak up, social acceptance is not always readily given.
As part of the recovery process, many medical care providers may request that the patient take time off from work so that they can focus on their well-being. While this does make perfect sense, you may be wondering, “Can you get long-term disability for anxiety?”
Can You Get Long-Term Disability for Anxiety?
The answer to this question is yes, anxiety is a long-term disability, but the process will probably not be easy. The first thing that you must verify is how your policy defines a long-term disability.
Although anxiety is considered a real and debilitating illness by the Canadian government, insurance companies have been very slow in adopting this illness into their policy coverage.
Getting approved for long-term disability for anxiety in Ontario may require the assistance of a lawyer. Having a lawyer review the terms of your policy and your medical records will allow them to negotiate with your long-term care provider for benefits.
A lawyer has the knowledge and experience to make insurers comply with the terms of their policies.
Documentation Is Key to A Successful Claim For Long-Term Disability For Anxiety
When you are trying to build a claim for long-term disability for anxiety in Ontario, the first thing that you should do is meet with your medical care provider. Documentation of how you feel, how the anxiety is impacting your life, and the results of your treatment are very important.
When you apply for disability for anxiety, it is very common for the insurer to deny the claim right off stating that your anxiety does not prevent you from accomplishing your daily tasks. Your lawyer will then need to gather documentation from your care providers to show how the anxiety is impacting your life and how it is affecting you as a long-term disability.
Proof You Are Receiving Treatment
You must also have it well documented that you are receiving treatment for anxiety and that you are actively participating in your recovery. Your lawyer must show that you are attending any therapies prescribed by your care provider and that you are taking any medications suggested for helping you manage the effects of your anxiety.
If you are not actively participating in your recovery, the insurance company will deny your claim for long term benefits. The insurance company must see proof that you are trying to manage and overcome this condition.
Getting Help
The process of getting long-term disability benefits for anxiety can be complicated, but it is not impossible. You must be prepared to confront the insurance company with the reality of how anxiety affects your life, and you must be able to show that you are trying to receive as much care as possible for the condition. In most cases, securing long term help for anxiety will require the assistance of a lawyer.
In the end, the real question is not “Can you get long term disability for anxiety?” Instead, the real question is, “Have I found a qualified and compassionate lawyer that can help me secure the long-term benefits I need to make a recovery?”
