Veterans denied disability benefits in Midland

During his periods of service with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Frank experienced atrocities that scarred him emotionally. He returned to civilian life after 15 years of service, but post-traumatic stress disorder kept him out of work.

CAF members experience some of the highest levels of work stress of any profession and mental health issues are a serious issue. Nearly half of service members surveyed by Statistics Canada in 2018 said they had suffered from depression and anxiety. More than a third of veterans said they had a difficult transition to civilian life and those with mental health issues were unable to work.

It may take some time to be diagnosed with PTSD, while in the meantime a veteran’s ability to return to regular civilian life may be affected.

Military Income Security Insurance Plan

Former and current CAF members may not be aware that if they are released from the military for medical reasons, they may be eligible for disability benefits through the Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) .

SISIP is a long-term disability plan for CAF members, covering both service-related and non-service-related injuries.

Frank, who had been medically released from the CAF due to PTSD, knew he was eligible for disability benefits through SISIP. Although his PTSD diagnosis should have been recognized, Frank’s disability claim was denied. He turned to a disabled lawyer in Ontario and negotiated a settlement with SISIP.

Unfortunately, Frank is not alone.

“If you think you might qualify for disability benefits through SISIP, you should apply for them, even if you were medically discharged from the military some time ago,” said said Samantha Share, Managing Director of Share Lawyers.

“If your SISIP benefits have been refused or accepted and then terminated, we encourage you to contact a lawyer specializing in the field of persons with disabilities. Although strict time limits apply for taking legal action, benefits may still be available depending on your situation. A disability law attorney can start the appeal or lawsuit process right away. And they can make suggestions for other sources of income during the waiting period.

Claimants whose disability benefits have been denied can also use the free online tools available to find out if they have a valid disability case.

If your SISIP long-term disability benefit has been denied, do not give in to the insurance company and do not give up your rights. Contact the experienced long-term disability attorneys at Share Lawyers for a free consultation.