Disability Insurance Lawyers
Living with a physical or psychological disability is hard enough without having to go through the sometimes strenuous process of filing a claim with your insurance company only to have it unexpectedly denied. Insurance companies reserve the right to deny claims for a number of reasons, many of which can seem unfair. Sometimes, they may even deny your claim by default with the hopes that you won’t try to appeal the case. Enduring a permanent or temporary disability in Ontario could put you out of work indefinitely.
Losing your income, even on a temporary basis, without a dependable fallback option is difficult for anyone to endure. But it’s particularly challenging and stressful when you’re responsible for taking care of your family. On top of taking care of your dependents, you now have mounting medical bills to pay without a safety net, and you can’t work due to your disability. Luckily, the Ontario disability lawyers at Mirian Law Firm are on your side.
We’ll take on your case and offer you the legal support you need so that you can focus on getting back on your feet.
How to Apply for Disability in Ontario
To apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), you must meet the following criteria:
- You have to be at least 18 years of age
- You must be an Ontario resident
- You must be in financial need
- You must meet the program’s definition of someone living with a disability, or you must be a member of a Prescribed Class (citizens who are exempt from this criteria)
Applicants who are under the age of 18 are only eligible to start the application process up to 6 months prior to their 18th birthday.
Applying for disability with the ODSP is a fairly straightforward procedure. Here’s what you have to do:
- If you’re currently receiving financial assistance from Ontario Works (OW), then you must inform them that you’re interested in applying for financial support from ODSP.
- If you’re not currently receiving financial assistance from OW, you can start the process by applying to ODSP and provide detailed information regarding yourself and your dependents (if applicable) to determine if you qualify.
- Gather all of your financial information and have it ready throughout the application process. You can apply online or over the phone.
- Once your application has been processed, you should receive a phone call from an ODSP officer to set up an in-person appointment. During this meeting, you’ll be required to provide financial information about yourself and your dependents (if applicable). Make sure you have all the applicable documents with you.
- During your appointment, you’ll also be asked to fill out forms that pertain to your financial assistance application. Any adults over the age of 18 living in your household will also be expected to attend and fill out the same forms. This is known as your “benefits unit”.
Unfortunately, disability benefits in Ontario aren’t always guaranteed. Far too often, even after going through this extensive process, it’s still possible for your short-term or long-term disability claim to be denied.
How Much is a Disability Lawyer in Ontario?
Have you been looking for experienced long-term or short-term disability lawyers in Ontario? The legal team at Mirian Law Firm has your back. We’ve helped many clients with their disability claim denials, and we may be able to help you, too! Book your free in-person case assessment today to learn more!