Having your long‑term disability (LTD) claim approved is a major relief. However, approval does not mean the insurance company will stop monitoring your claim. The steps you take now can make a real difference in protecting your benefits. Below are practical steps to help you stay compliant, protect your income, and reduce the risk of termination.

Understand What You Were Approved For

LTD approval letters often contain important conditions and limitations. You should carefully review:

• The definition of disability that applies to you (“own occupation” vs. “any occupation”).
• The date when the definition of disability becomes more difficult to meet (“any occupation”).
• Whether your benefits are taxable or non‑taxable.
• If you are required to apply for CPP Disability.
• Any offsets/reduction for CPPD or any income from employment.
• Whether you must advise if you are planning to leave the province or country for any period of time.
• How frequently they will require medical updates and will they pay for those reports.

If anything is unclear, get clarification early. Misunderstanding your approval terms can put your benefits at risk. You may also reach out to us at any time if you have any questions.

Continue Regular Medical Treatment

One of the most common reasons insurers terminate LTD benefits is “lack of ongoing medical evidence.” To protect yourself:

• Attend appointments regularly.
• Follow reasonable treatment recommendations.
• Ensure your doctors clearly document symptoms, limitations, and functional restrictions.
• Avoid long gaps in care unless medically justified (condition is permanent and all treatment options have been tried and not helped).

Remember, if you do not need to report to them as frequently, insurance companies expect to see consistent medical support for continued disability, when they do ask for an update.

Be Cautious With Insurance Forms and Questionnaires

Even after approval, insurers often send requests by way of questionnaires, or conduct functional assessments on the telephone or on forms (asking you about what you can do), and make requests for updated medical information. 

They may then conduct surveillance to determine if what you are reporting to them and your treatment providers is consistent with what their investigators observe you doing in public and online. More about surveillance later in this document. For now, here are some tips for reporting:

• Answer questions carefully and consistently
• Do not minimize your symptoms
• Avoid speculation about future recovery
• Stick to how your condition affects your ability to work 
• Do not discuss “other”, non-disability related reasons why you are not able to work.
• Be sure that what you do out in the world and online is consistent with the level of function you are reporting to the insurance company and your treatment providers.

If a form feels confusing or intrusive, legal guidance before responding can help prevent mistakes. Similarly, if you believe they are conducting surveillance, contact us for guidance and reassurance.

Think Carefully Before Attempting a Return to Work

Many policies allow for rehabilitation or gradual return‑to‑work programs, but these should never be rushed. Before attempting any work:

• Confirm medical support in writing and ensure that your doctors are clear that you are cleared to “try” or “attempt” to work or to participate in rehabilitation.
• Understand how income from work may affect your benefits.
• Confirm the consequences of not participating in any insurance company rehab return-to-work plan and what medical support is required to confirm that you are not able to participate. 
• Confirm what the insurance company will do if you are not successful in your efforts to return to work and must stop working again. 
• Avoid informal or unpaid volunteer work without disclosure but consider volunteering before attempting a return to work.
• Be wary that insurance rehab programs are not focused on treating your disability, but rather focused on returning you to work. 
• If you are successful at returning to work be sure to note the deadline to claim “recurrent disability”. If you become disabled again due to the same or related conditions, during this period (even if you start working for another employer), you may be able to continue your original claim from where you left off.

A failed return‑to‑work attempt or a refusal to participate in an insurance company’s return to work program can sometimes be used by insurers to justify termination if it is not properly documented.

Be Aware of Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring

Insurers may use video surveillance, online activity monitoring, and viewing social media posts. Protect yourself by:

• Being honest and consistent in daily activities.
• Be sure your social media privacy settings are set to private and avoiding posts that could be misinterpreted.
• Remembering that most of your activities do not likely equal work capacity.
• Do what is best for your health but be sure that it is consistent with what you are reporting to the insurance company and your treatment providers.

What matters is functional capacity over time, not isolated moments. You likely have good days and bad days and good moments and bad moments within a day. You do not need to have all bad days to be eligible for LTD. They are looking for sustained, predictable functioning over time. 

Notify the Insurer of Relevant Changes (Carefully)

You may be required to report such information as:

• Changes in medical condition, new treatment, new treatment providers, test results, etc.
• Attempts to work or even volunteer
• Other income sources
• Travel
• CPP Disability approval
• Change in employment status (termination pay)

However, disclosures should be accurate and strategic. Over‑sharing or poorly worded updates can create problems. Poorly timed sharing can also be problematic. When in doubt, please contact us to help you strategize your reporting.

Get Legal Advice Early If Problems Arise

Contact us right away if you receive:

• A request for an insurer medical examination (IME).
• Notice of benefit review or suspension of benefits.
• Pressure to return to work or any suggestion of rehabilitation to return to work.
• A termination letter.

Getting legal advice early can often prevent a denial or strengthen your position before a dispute escalates.

Key Takeaway

LTD approval is not the end of the process—it is the beginning of ongoing assessment of your claim. Staying informed, consistent, and cautious can significantly improve your chances of keeping your benefits long‑term.

If you have questions or concerns about your LTD benefits, we can help you guide you and protect what you fought hard to obtain.

Mulqueen Disability Law is a boutique law firm, focused on litigating long-term disability insurance benefit claims. Courtney Mulqueen and her team of legal professionals are Trauma-Informed Certified and have over two decades of experience exclusively in the area of long-term disability law. She and her team draw on their “insider” experience working for the insurance companies (including, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife, and OTIP), that they now sue for their clients.  

The preceding is not intended to be legal advice. This blog is made available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog, you understand that there is no solicitor client relationship between you and the blog publisher. The blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction. If your disability claim has been denied and you require legal advice, please contact a lawyer specializing in disability law.