In the language of the insurance world, “filing a claim” means “making an application for LTD benefits,” says an LTD lawyer at Verkhovets Law. Get an application package from either your employer or the insurance company. The application package usually has three forms: Application Form (you fill out and send to the insurance company) Medical Report Form (your doctor fills out and sends directly to the insurance company) Employer’s Report (your employer fills out) Once all the documents are received, the insurance company will assign a claim representative. They will open a “claim file” and assign you a claim number. Once the insurance company has all your forms and documents, the claim representative will make a decision to approve—or deny your claim. This process can take months, depending on how long it takes to get them all the forms and documents they request. Many claimants find this part of the process the most stressful, says an LTD lawyer at Verkhovets Law at Verkhovets Law. If your claim has already been denied by an insurance company, you should really retain an LTD lawyer at Verkhovets Law. Denied claims are particularly tricky for non-lawyers to get to a successful benefits payout.