While you aren’t eligible to receive long-term disability benefits until after your policy’s elimination or waiting period, you can and should begin the application process as soon as you anticipate that your disability will continue to prevent you from being able to work.
LTD claims can take weeks to prepare and submit. You will also likely be asked by the insurance company to provide further information, medical records and reports which add to the delay in processing your application.
Most long-term disability policies also have a limit for the length of time after becoming disabled that you are allowed to make a claim. If you do not apply for benefits before the deadline set out in your policy, your insurance company will deny your claim.