“Denied Disability Benefits as a Self-Employed Professional in BC?”
“Tim Louis has helped freelancers, consultants, and business owners get the benefits they deserve—even after a denial.”
Professional & Self-Employed Disability Claims in BC
Denied disability benefits while self-employed? We can help you fight back.
by Tim Louis
You Don’t Need an Employer to Deserve Protection
Running your own business shouldn’t disqualify you from long-term disability (LTD) coverage. Yet self-employed professionals, contractors, and freelancers across British Columbia are being denied disability benefits every day—simply because their income is “unpredictable,” their symptoms are “subjective,” or their claim doesn’t fit the usual box.
At Tim Louis & Company, we’ve helped hundreds of self-employed individuals challenge denials and recover the benefits they’re entitled to. Whether you’re a consultant, designer, contractor, or practice owner—if your condition prevents you from working full-time, you have a right to claim.
Why Are Self-Employed LTD Claims So Often Denied?
Insurers often deny these claims for reasons like:
- You don’t have a traditional employer or HR department
- Your income fluctuates (or isn’t well documented)
- Your symptoms are “invisible” (like fatigue, pain, or brain fog)
- You don’t have clear proof of functional limitation
But here’s the truth: insurance companies are required to assess your ability to work consistently — not whether you have an office job or T4 income.
“Can I get long-term disability if I’m self-employed in BC?”
Yes. If your condition limits your ability to work consistently—whether physically, mentally, or cognitively—you can qualify, even as a contractor or freelancer.
Qualifying Conditions for Self-Employed LTD Claims
Fatigue, pain, depression, and cognitive symptoms are valid—if they limit your work function.
Whether your diagnosis is clear-cut or still evolving, the key to a successful LTD claim is evidence of functional limitation. That’s what we focus on building—especially when symptoms are invisible or fluctuate from day to day.
Conditions we regularly help self-employed clients with:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) / Post-Viral Fatigue (e.g., Long COVID)
- Fibromyalgia and chronic pain
- Depression, anxiety, and burnout
- Autoimmune illnesses like lupus or MS
- Migraines and neurological conditions
- Post-concussion or cognitive impairment
- Cancer, stroke recovery, or heart disease
You don’t need a blood test or MRI to prove you’re struggling. With the right documentation and legal guidance, your lived experience can form the foundation of a winning claim.
Real Scenario:
Kiran, a self-employed marketing consultant, developed severe fatigue and cognitive fog after a COVID infection. Her LTD insurer denied her claim, saying she “still worked from home” and didn’t meet the test.
Tim Louis & Company successfully appealed her denial, securing retroactive payments and ongoing monthly benefits.
The LTD Test for Self-Employed Professionals in BC
You don’t need to be “bedridden.” You just need to show that you can’t work consistently or reliably.
Unlike salaried employees, self-employed professionals are often evaluated based on:
- Your ability to generate income, not hours worked
- Whether you can maintain client relationships
- How symptoms affect your ability to perform key duties
- Whether working worsens your condition (post-exertional crashes)
Tim Louis says:
“With self-employed clients, we show not just what they can’t do—but what doing it costs them. Burnout, crashes, or relapses often happen when you push through illness.”
Key Legal Tip:
Even if you’re still “trying to work,” you may still qualify. Insurers often deny claims based on the fact that you’ve invoiced clients or logged into your business accounts. This is wrong. The test is not whether you’ve given up—but whether you can sustain work over time without decline.
How to Prove Your Self-Employed LTD Claim
What counts is evidence of functional decline—not just a diagnosis.
To succeed with a disability claim as a self-employed professional, you need to build a clear picture of how your health has interfered with your ability to work.
Essential Documentation to Include:
Item | Why It Matters | |
3 Years of Business Income | Shows changes in revenue due to illness—especially irregular or declining earnings. | |
Doctor Notes + Symptom Trackers | Medical support is critical. Track symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and PEM (post-exertional malaise). | |
Missed Deadlines / Cancelled Clients | Helps prove how your condition affects reliability and consistency. | |
Tax Records (T2125, NOAs) | Used to confirm self-employment, income trends, and business legitimacy. | |
Peer-Reviewed Symptom Evidence | Citing sources like MedRxiv or PubMed backs up your fatigue or cognitive symptoms with science. |
What do I need to prove my self-employed LTD claim?”
Tim Louis has the answer
When to Speak to a Lawyer — And What Denials Look Like for Entrepreneurs
Self-employed? Your LTD claim may be judged unfairly—here’s when to get help.
If you’re running your own business, insurance companies may wrongly assume you’re fine because you’re “still working.” But the truth is, many entrepreneurs push through pain and fatigue out of necessity—not wellness.
Common Red Flags That Signal Denial Risk:
Insurance Denial Trigger | What It Really Means |
“You’re still logging business expenses.” | Does not mean you’re well enough to work full-time. |
“Your income hasn’t dropped enough.” | Many self-employed people drain savings or take loans to survive. |
“No clear medical diagnosis.” | Functional limitations matter more than labels. Fatigue, PEM, and brain fog count. |
“Inconsistent work activity.” | Sporadic effort or ‘good days’ ≠ sustainable employment. |
“Can I get disability if I’m self-employed and still trying to work?”
Yes—and a lawyer can help you prove it.
“Being self-employed doesn’t disqualify you. What matters is your ability to work consistently. If your symptoms stop you from doing that, you may be entitled to benefits.”
— Tim Louis, Disability Lawyer Vancouver
When to Contact a Lawyer:
- You’ve received a confusing denial letter.
- Your symptoms are invisible or fluctuate.
- You’re self-employed and unsure what counts as “proof.”
- The insurer is asking for excessive records.
Free consultations available. No pressure. Just straight answers.
Why Tim Louis?
Trusted by self-employed Canadians for over 40 years.
When your disability claim is denied—especially if you’re self-employed—you need someone who doesn’t just know the law but has lived inside the system long enough to beat it.
Why Clients Choose Tim Louis:
- 40+ years of legal experience in disability and LTD law
- Known advocate for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and sole proprietors
- Real, verified 5-star reviews from people just like you
- Direct, hands-on approach: you speak to Tim, not a junior
“We’ve helped hundreds of business owners and freelancers get justice when insurers said ‘no.’”
— Tim Louis, Disability Lawyer Vancouver
“Tim and his team were excellent. Thank you a million times for all your help and time. Highly recommended.”
— Vajeh Vali (5-star review, 15 weeks ago)“Tim is very honest, compassionate, and caring. He provided me the most affordable solution to my problem.”
— William Chen (5-star review, Dec 2023)“Super fast and reliable service. Very friendly & welcoming staff. Would 100% recommend!”
— Louis Li (5-star review, 5 weeks ago)“Tim kindly assisted me with an employment issue during his own holiday vacation time, returning my inquiry on the same day.”
— Kevin Ip (5-star review, Dec 2022)
Ready to Talk?
📞 Call Tim directly: (604) 732-7678
📩 Submit a secure intake: https://timlouislaw.com/contact-us
You don’t need to suffer in silence.
Invisible illnesses are real.
Your business doesn’t have to end with your diagnosis.
Self-Employed LTD FAQs
Answers to the most common questions we hear from freelancers, consultants, and small business owners.
1. Can I get disability if I don’t have a boss?
Yes. LTD coverage is based on your ability to work—not whether you have an employer. Self-employed Canadians can qualify if illness or injury prevents them from running their business consistently.
2. Do I need T4s or proof of income to qualify?
No T4 required. But you do need proof of income through tax records (T2125), business ledgers, or client invoices. Income verification is still essential.
3. What happens if I can’t work more than a few hours a day?
If your condition limits your hours, you may still qualify—especially if fatigue, pain, or brain fog causes you to crash or miss key responsibilities.
4. How do insurers evaluate my business loss?
They assess your claim based on:
- Functional impact (medical reports, symptom logs)
- Disrupted client work or revenue
- Statements from collaborators, partners, or clients
- Missed deadlines or cancellations
5. Is it harder to get LTD if I’m a contractor or freelance?
It can be—but you still have rights. Denials are more common for contractors because insurers often argue your work is “flexible.” That’s why proper documentation and legal support matter even more.
Start with a Free Consultation—We’ll Handle the Rest
Whether you’re a small business owner, contractor, or full-time freelancer, your health should come first—not the fight with your insurer.
Choose how you’d like to get started:
Book Online
Visit: https://timlouislaw.com/contact-us
Secure your free consultation.
🔁 This page is part of our Living Content System™, reviewed regularly for accuracy, voice optimization, and AI-era legal compliance.
🕒 Last reviewed: by Tim Louis, Long Term Disability Lawyer in Vancouver
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