When you apply for disability benefits it can feel like you’re navigating an endless maze of confusing forms and complicated rules designed to make the process harder for applicants. We help people in Hamilton with this process all the time and know how frustrating it can be to fill out your disability application. We’ve helped many people with these processes at Longo Lawyers and know how important it is to get it right from the start.
The first step is to figure out which disability programs you may be eligible for based on your situation and needs. There are many disability benefit programs in Canada, such as the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit, province disability support programs and other assistance programs that can help you financially when times are tough. Before you start your application you need to understand the eligibility criteria, application process and benefit levels for each program.
One of the most important parts of any successful disability application is gathering all of your medical records. Your medical documents must clearly show that you have a qualifying medical condition and how that condition makes it much harder for you to work or do daily tasks. This paperwork should include records from all the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have treated your condition, such as family doctors, medical specialists, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and mental health professionals who are familiar with your case.
The timing of your disability application can have a big impact on whether you qualify and how much you get in benefits. Some programs require you to apply for benefits within a certain time frame after being disabled, while others have you wait a set amount of time before benefits start to flow. The application process can take many months so starting early can help ensure you get the money you need when you need it most.
To get any benefits from the disability program your medical condition must meet the requirements set out in the program’s rules. Getting a medical diagnosis from your doctor is not enough to guarantee your application will be approved. You need to show that your condition makes it very hard for you to work on a regular and ongoing basis for a long time. We help clients understand these strict requirements and make sure their applications show how their conditions meet all of them. The application forms have many detailed sections that ask for full and specific information about your medical history, work history and daily limitations. Questions that seem simple at first can have big implications for your claim. For example if you don’t accurately describe what you do every day you could inadvertently make it seem like you’re more physically or mentally capable than your condition really allows.
Supporting documents go beyond just medical information. They can include a full employment history, full educational history and detailed statements from family members or friends who see your restrictions every day. These extra pieces of evidence help paint a full and convincing picture of how your disability affects your life and ability to work. You may also need to take vocational tests to show you can’t do certain types of work because of your current physical or mental limitations.
We handle many types of cases including Slip and Fall Lawyer cases. This gives us a lot of experience with all kinds of injuries and how they affect people’s ability to function normally over time. This information helps us understand how different medical issues affect your ability to work and makes disability claims stronger.
The time it takes to process a disability application can vary greatly depending on how complex your case is and how busy the office is at the time. To apply for disability benefits in Hamilton you need to know a lot about the federal and provincial programs available to those who live there and need help.