Practicing social responsibility for vulnerable and hurting Canadians once they are deemed disabled

Practicing social responsibility for vulnerable and hurting Canadians once they are deemed disabled??

It’s an extremely stressful and scary time for thousands of Canadians who become disabled, whether it’s as result of an illness, injury or an accident. When we have no control over our financial well-being, we are left feeling very vulnerable. To add to this stress is often a lack of understanding how LTD benefits work together with federal programs like CPP-D.

The claimant is often skeptical about why the insurance company wants them to apply for federal disability benefits...

Case Managers working for group disability insurance providers are often asked many questions about the process of applying of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits. This is especially true if the claimant has had to appeal or challenge the insurance company on their disability claim. The claimant is often skeptical about why the insurance company wants them to apply for federal disability benefits and only sees it as a means of reducing their LTD benefits.

Group insurers continue to request that claimants apply for CPP disability benefits as these benefits are almost always a direct offset to LTD. Without understanding the benefits of CPP-D, it can increase stress and anxiety for the claimant and the case managers often don’t have time in their day to manage their incoming mail, calls and caseload as well as these types of questions.

The confusion and frustration rises further when the claimant’s CPP-D claim is denied:

The claimant isn’t sure where to turn, or what else to do, and the idea of figuring out how to appeal the CPP-D claim with Service Canada is completely overwhelming.

The Case Manager continues to follow up and ask the claimant to appeal.

Everyone is pulled into an ongoing cycle of stress without a solution.

There is a better way.

When we take on a case, we have a near perfect record of succeeding on appeal.

We are disability case managers specializing in CPPD appeals and Tribunals with more than 18 years of experience working CPP-D denials. When we take on a case, we have a near perfect record of succeeding on appeals. This helps the insurance company as they can offset the LTD benefit with the CPP-D benefits and as a result, reserves are reduced. It also helps the employer/plan sponsor by reducing the experience on their plan. More importantly, we support the claimants successfully get through a very difficult period in their lives.

Why do insurers want claimants to apply for CPP-D?

When an insurance company is paying out a long-term disability claim, they need to reserve funds to pay that claim potentially until the claimant is age 65. From a financial perspective, the insurer benefits if the claimant is approved for CPP-D as it reduces their liability.

It’s common for insurers to require LTD claimants to apply for CPP-D. This is a standard policy provision. When you begin receiving CPP-D, your LTD payments will likely be reduced by an amount equal to your CPP-D payment. Complicating matters for claimants is that CPP-D payments are taxable, while LTD payments may or may not be taxable, this depends on who has paid premium.

What are the benefits of CPP-D?

While there are some drawbacks for people to be in receipt of CPP-D benefits, there are also some advantages. Once approved, CPP-D benefits are locked in until age 65 and are very rarely terminated. And if you don’t apply for CPP-D, your insurer may estimate and reduce your LTD benefits.

Also being approved for the CPP-D will allow your contributions into CPP to continue. When you turn 65 your regular pension won’t be less because you stopped making contributions when you started your LTD.

What happens when people are denied CPP-D?

People are denied CPP-D benefits all the time regardless of the validity of their claim. It’s unfortunate, but it happens. We find CPP-D is often denied because people have not taken the time to complete the application with as much detail as required. They may not understand what the program is looking for, or perhaps their doctor has made an error. We also find that government personnel also make errors in denying claims.

On one side, their insurance company may be threatening to reduce their payments and on the other side, the government has denied them benefits.

In these instances, we find people are often emotionally drained and overwhelmed. They don’t know where to turn. On one side, their insurance company may be threatening to reduce their payments and on the other side, the government has denied them benefits. Their only recourse is to appeal the CPP-D decision.

Individuals who find themselves in this squeeze are often also fighting depression and anxiety. The financial pressure is likely contributing to additional life stresses. They may have to relocate to less expensive housing, for example.?It’s unpleasant all around.

That’s where we come in, Brematson Disability Advocates have a remarkable history of success in overturning denied CPP-D claims.

We are engaged by insurance companies who recognize that there’s a better way to manage their claims.

With our years of experience appealing CPP-D claims, we can tell very quickly if a case stands a good chance of winning on appeal. We have a near perfect record of success because we know what can win and what can’t.

We’ll pick up the case on behalf of insurer and work directly with their claimant to help them through this difficult period.

Our goal is to ensure the individual is given excellent representation when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s a win for the claimant and insurer.