You may qualify to get long-term disability benefits for mental health conditions if your condition prevents you from working and your insurance policy provides coverage for psychiatric conditions.
A Baton Rouge long-term disability lawyer can review your situation and help you determine if you qualify for these benefits. An attorney can also help with your benefits claim or with an appeal if the insurance company denies your first request for benefits.
Will You Get Long-Term Disability for Mental Health?
Many people with serious mental health conditions can qualify for long-term disability benefits.
However, not everyone qualifies for these benefits, so it’s important that you get help from a professional who can review your ERISA (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) policy and give you more information about ERISA and disability benefits for mental disorders.
Generally, you can qualify for these benefits if your attorney can show that you have a diagnosed condition that stops you from working and that your policy covers said condition. Your lawyer will need to provide information about your symptoms, including their:
- Severity
- Nature
- Frequency
- Impact on your occupational duties
You can rely on your attorney to collect evidence to back up your claim and to explain the steps you need to take to secure long-term disability benefits. A lawyer can also determine if you can get long-term disability for mental health.
Can You Get Other Disability Benefits for Mental Health Reasons?
You may qualify for other forms of disability benefits in some situations. For example, short-term disability does cover mental health issues for some people. An attorney will need to review the specifics of your situation to determine if you should apply for these benefits.
For a free legal consultation, call (225) 201-8311
What Mental Health Conditions Does Long-Term Disability Cover?
Long-term disability insurance can cover a wide range of mental illnesses. Coverage options will depend on the specifics of the insurance policy and possible exclusions. However, some common conditions covered by disability insurance can include:
- Major depressive disorder and other forms of depression
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
Additionally, some eating and substance use disorders may qualify for long-term disability benefits. You should consult with an attorney about the specific conditions covered by your insurance policy.
Potential Limitations on the Benefits for Mental Health Conditions
Insurance companies do not automatically provide long-term disability benefits for all individuals who experience a mental health condition. Indeed, many policies include a mental illness limitation.
This kind of limitation can restrict how long the insurance company provides benefits for individuals with a psychiatric condition. In many cases, this limitation means that the insurance company only has to provide benefits for two years. However, the specific length of the limitation depends on the terms of your policy.
The limitation means that your benefits may end even if your condition does not improve.
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An Attorney May Help with a Mental Illness Limitation
You may continue to receive benefits even if your policy has a mental illness limitation in some situations. Your attorney may take steps to protect your benefits by showing that:
You Also Have a Physical Disability
If you have multiple disabilities and one of them is physical, you may continue to receive benefits past the point stipulated by the mental illness limitation. An attorney will need to provide proof of your physical disability to protect your benefits.
Your Condition is Exempt from the Mental Illness Limitation
Some insurers will exempt specific mental health conditions from the mental illness limitation. For example, some policies exempt conditions like dementia or schizophrenia from this limitation. Your attorney will need to review your policy to assess all exemptions that could apply in your situation.
If your attorney believes you qualify for an exemption, they will need to provide proof to the insurance company to protect your benefits.
Your Cognitive Impairment is Not Psychiatric
Sometimes, individuals experience cognitive impairments due to a physical condition. For example, you may experience depression caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If your attorney can show that your impairment comes from the TBI, not just symptoms of depression, you may continue to receive your benefits.
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Talk to Us About Getting Long-Term Disability for Mental Health
So, can you get long-term disability for mental health conditions? While it depends on the terms of your insurance policy, in many cases, yes, you can get disability benefits for conditions like depression, PTSD, or anxiety disorders.
You can turn to our team J. Price McNamara for help filing a claim for the benefits you deserve. We can review your insurance policy and determine if you qualify for long-term disability benefits. We can also explain any mental health limitations included in your policy.
Our team has over 30 years of experience, and we’re ready to provide the assistance that you deserve right now.
Call or text (225) 201-8311 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
