“I don’t want to be considered disabled. I worked hard all my life and I don’t like the stigma that comes with the word ‘disability’.”

Some people may not want to pursue their disability insurance claim because of the terminology. Keep in mind that policies typically specify a length of time that qualifies as “long-term disability”. The definition of “long-term disability” is usually different than that of social security, so don’t get hung up on the language.

Seeking long-term disability benefits from a private insurance policy doesn’t mean you will never be able to return to work; however, obtaining benefits for being out of work for a significant time isn’t something to pass up just due to terminology.