The 24-month change of definition is the point when many long-term disability insurers say you are no longer “totally disabled” because the test changes from your own occupation to any occupation. This page explains what that means in BC, especially for invisible illnesses, and how a lawyer can help if you are cut off.

When Your LTD Insurer Says “The Definition Has Changed”

For many people in British Columbia, the most stressful moment in a long-term disability claim is not the first approval. It is the letter that arrives close to the 24-month mark that says the definition of disability has changed and you no longer qualify for benefits.

If you live with pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another invisible illness, that letter can feel like someone is questioning your entire reality. You may still be unable to work, yet the insurer now says you are “fit” for some other occupation.

This page explains what the 24-month change of definition usually means, how “own occupation” and “any occupation” work in LTD policies, and how courts in BC look at these issues. Most of all, it explains what you can do next.

What Is the 24-Month Change of Definition in Long-Term Disability?

Most group long-term disability policies in Canada use a two-stage test for disability.

• Stage 1, usually the first 24 months: you must be unable to perform the essential duties of your own occupation.
• Stage 2, after about 24 months: you must be unable to perform the duties of any occupation that you are reasonably suited for, given your training, education, and experience.

Insurers often review claims close to the 24-month mark. They may send you to medical assessments, ask for updated forms, or hire private investigators. The result is often a letter saying that you no longer meet the new “any occupation” test and that your LTD benefits will end on a certain date.

For many people, nothing about their health has improved. The only thing that has changed is the definition in the policy.