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If your insurance company requests a vocational assessment during your disability insurance claim, it plays a critical role in determining if you still qualify for long term disability benefits. In this article, we’ll help you understand how vocational assessments in long term disability claims impact your future, what they cover, and how to protect your rights.
What Is a Vocational Assessment?
Vocational assessments in long term disability claims are detailed evaluations performed by a trained vocational expert. It looks at your physical health, mental well-being, education, work history, and the job market to decide if you can work in any role.
In the context of a disability insurance claim, it’s often used:
To decide if you meet the “any occupation” test after the “own occupation” period ends (Change of Definition).
To assess potential vocational rehabilitation options.
To identify roles that the insurer claims you could do, even with your existing symptoms.
These assessments are typically conducted by a vocational expert, who prepares a detailed report for your insurance company or lawyer.
When Is a Vocational Assessment Used in LTD Claims?
A vocational assessment is generally requested when:
Your claim is at the Change of Definition around the 24-month mark, shifting from own occupation to any occupation.
The insurer questions if your limitations really stop you from working.
There’s a dispute about your recorded medical restrictions.
You’re participating in a return-to-work or vocational rehabilitation program.
The insurer wants to see if you have transferable skills for other types of work.
What Does a Vocational Assessment Evaluate?
A proper vocational assessment examines four main areas:
1. Physical and Functional Abilities
The assessor will look at whether you can perform tasks such as sitting, standing, lifting, and repetitive movements over an entire shift. Chronic pain, fatigue, or mobility issues must be clearly documented.
2. Cognitive and Psychological Capacity
Mental health conditions, brain injuries, and medication side effects all affect concentration, decision-making, and stress tolerance. These must be factored into your vocational assessment.
3. Education and Transferable Skills
This involves reviewing your past roles, job descriptions, and on-the-job experiences to see if you have skills that could apply to a different field.
4. Labour Market Analysis
The vocational expert researches if any of these “potential jobs” actually exist near you, considering realistic hiring demands and wages—not just theoretical matches.
Preparing for a Vocational Assessment
Step | Action to Take |
Review medications and symptoms | Make a list of all health issues and limits |
List past job duties and descriptions | Be detailed about roles and tasks in previous jobs |
Gather medical and psychological reports | Bring current documents and describe your everyday challenges |
Identify accommodations tried or offered | Note if job modifications were made, why they worked/didn't work |
Get support from your healthcare team | Ask your doctor or therapist to prepare a written support statement |
How Insurers Use Vocational Assessments to Deny LTD Claims
Insurance companies sometimes use vocational assessments in long term disability claims to argue you are able to do “some type of work”—even if you aren’t ready or the jobs aren’t realistic. They may claim:
You have transferable skills for other jobs, downplaying your symptoms.
“Suitable” jobs exist, even if they’re rare or inappropriate given your limitations.
Medical limitations aren’t severe enough to prevent all employment.
The labour market is better than it really is.
Their goal? To cut off or reduce your long term disability benefits. If you receive a biased or flawed assessment, don’t panic—there are steps you can take to set the record straight.
How to Challenge a Flawed Vocational Assessment
If your assessment is inaccurate or incomplete:
Request the report: Review it carefully for errors or exaggerations.
Provide counter-evidence: Bring in medical statements, functional reports, and personal accounts.
Highlight job market reality: Show why proposed jobs aren’t realistic.
Get an independent opinion: Have your own vocational expert prepare a rebuttal.
Work with a lawyer: an experienced disability lawyer can take direct action to protect your benefits.
What If You’re Asked to Attend a Vocational Assessment?
Comply with your policy: Attend if your insurance company requires it, but plan ahead.
Document your experience: Take notes immediately after about the questions, tasks, and your symptoms during the meeting.
Notify your healthcare providers: Let them know about the assessment and symptoms you had before, during, and after.
Ask questions: You can request clarification if anything seems unfair or unclear during the assessment.
How an LTD Lawyer Can Help With Vocational Assessment Issues
A long term disability claim lawyer can:
Explain what to expect from a vocational assessment
Advise on how to prepare, including organizing your job descriptions and reports
Help arrange an independent vocational expert review, if needed
Spot misleading statements or errors in the insurer’s assessment
Negotiate with your insurance company using strong evidence
Protect your benefits rights—especially if your claim is denied based on a flawed vocational assessment
We do not recommend appealing a denied claim through the insurer’s appeal process - your claim may be reviewed by the same team from your initial application. By working with a lawyer, you can fight wrongful denials and pursue the long term disability benefits you deserve.
Sam’s Journey
After a back injury, Sam, a former warehouse manager in Winnipeg, Manitoba, applied for long term disability benefits. Two years later, his insurance company requested a vocational assessment. The insurer’s vocational expert claimed Sam could work in a “light duty” office job, thanks to his experience and “transferable skills” with computers.
But Sam knew this wasn’t realistic: he struggled with pain, brain fog from his medication, and had never worked in an office. His doctor provided medical evidence showing that sitting for long periods was impossible, and Sam’s lawyer organized a second vocational opinion, which confirmed he was not suitable for office work.
With robust evidence and legal guidance, Sam successfully challenged the insurer’s flawed vocational assessment and his legal team negotiated a settlement of his long term disability benefits—showing the importance of a knowledgeable advocate during the disability insurance claim process.
Vocational Assessment Claim Success Checklist
Key Action | Why It Matters |
Prepare a detailed list of your symptoms and limits | Helps assessors understand day-to-day challenges |
Review job duties and each job description carefully | Gives context to what you can and cannot now do |
Document failed attempts to return to work | Explains why vocational rehabilitation was not viable |
Get updated reports from all healthcare providers | Counters insurance company bias |
Consult a LTD lawyer before and after your assessment | Protects against unfair denials and appeals |
Summary
Vocational assessments in long term disability claims are powerful tools that can determine your future income and work options. While these assessments can support your disability insurance claim, insurers may sometimes misinterpret the results to cut off benefits.
Always prepare thoroughly, understand what a vocational expert looks for, and gather accurate medical and job information. If your vocational assessment is flawed or your insurer tries to deny your claim, consult a disability lawyer to challenge the decision and protect your financial security.
If you’re facing a vocational assessment in your long term disability claim, contact Share Lawyers for a free consultation—we’re here to help you safeguard the long term disability benefits you deserve.
