What is typically required to qualify for long-term disability insurance benefits?

To qualify for long-term disability insurance benefits, a short waiting period before receiving benefits is generally required. This waiting period, often referred to as an "elimination period," is the amount of time a policyholder must wait after becoming disabled before they can start receiving benefits. This period serves several purposes, including allowing insurers to filter out short-term conditions and ensuring that the disability is significant enough to warrant long-term benefits.

The elimination period can vary depending on the policy, but it typically lasts anywhere from 30 to 180 days. During this time, the insured is expected to be unable to work due to their disability, which emphasizes the need for a continual assessment of their ability to return to work. Once this period is over, if the insured continues to meet the policy’s definitions of disability, they will begin to receive their benefits. Understanding this requirement is crucial for those considering long-term disability insurance, as it affects when and how benefits will be available.