Physical and mental disabilities come with several challenges in your day-to-day life. You often feel discriminated against, either by denial of service or lack of insurance and benefits.
Luckily, a disability lawyer can provide many essential services to people who face such challenges and discrimination. Through these services, they can help you receive the accommodations and benefits you deserve.
1. Disability Benefits
Whether you are disabled due to a medical condition or an accident, you might be eligible for disability benefits. You may receive benefits from MCCSS through either DSO or some other service. However, applying for these programs can be complex as there are set eligibility rules and criteria to follow. Many applications are denied for people who even meet these set rules because their applications have issues.
A knowledgeable disability lawyer Toronto will help you receive the benefits you deserve by going through your application and providing insight. If your claim is denied for some reason, a lawyer can help you reapply or appeal the decision in court.
2. Disability Insurance Protection
People who can’t work can get disability benefits, and disabled persons with jobs should always sign up for disability insurance. This can either be purchased by yourself or through your employer. With it, you’re allowed income replacement on days you can’t work due to your disability.
Insurance can be short-term for temporary absences, or long-term for those who are unable to return to work for several weeks. Long-term insurance is better for people facing invisible disabilities such as chronic fatigue that can cause them to miss an extended period of work.
A lawyer can not only help you fill out the application but make sure your insurance entitlement is upheld. If you don’t get insurance or your benefits are terminated, a lawyer can figure out the reason and reapply through an internal appeal. If you wish to sue the insurance company for termination without notice or going against the contract, your lawyer can aid you through it.
3. Right to a Guide Animal
Many disabled people need a registered guide dog or emotional support animal to cope. You can sign up for this with the help of a disability lawyer and have them represent and explain your rights. Once you’re registered for a guide or support animal, your school and work are required to facilitate the animal by law. Any case of discrimination can be taken up with your legal representative.
4. Access and Accommodation
A disability lawyer can provide expert legal advice on rights if you’re denied access to either a service or a space. If you’re a differently-abled employee and need workplace accommodation, your lawyer can provide help as well. If you feel like you’ve been discriminated against at work due to your disability, whether it’s unpaid work or termination, bring it up with a lawyer and you can file a case.
5. Discrimination Aid
Canada’s disability laws protect individuals from discrimination and rejection of services by educational institutions, restaurants, as well as access to public spaces and certain workspaces. Access to public transportation is also guaranteed for differently-abled people.
If you experience any discrimination in these places, your lawyer can provide essential legal advice. Except in certain contexts, discrimination can be challenged with a lawyer’s aid.
6. Benefit Tax Details
Depending on the type of insurance benefits you receive, disability benefits may be taxable. Taxing doesn’t depend on whether the insurance and benefits are short-term or long-term, instead the person paying matters.
This means if only you’re paying for your benefits, then it’s generally not taxable and your insurance company won’t charge a tax. However, if an employer pays partially or fully, then these benefits are considered taxable.
Your disability or tax specialist lawyer can provide detailed information, as well as help you file for taxes if applicable.
7. Decision-Making Rights
Making decisions on important aspects of your life is your right, and a disability lawyer can provide legal advice and action on this. If you’re ineligible for making decisions by yourself, your lawyer can help register for supported decision-making instead of substitute decision-making (where someone else makes decisions for you).
In addition to this, if you’re under a court-ordered guardianship or unable to make decisions related to finances, property, and personal care under a power of attorney, having a disability lawyer is essential. Lawyers can help change or remove guardians.
