What are the Own Occupation and Any Occupation periods, and how do they affect my disability claim?

To qualify for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits, after completing a five month qualification period, you will be considered disabled if you are unable to perform the duties of your own occupation (the job you held at the time you became disabled) or any comparable position during the first 19 months of your disability.   This is called the “own occupation” period. To continue qualifying for benefits, you must show that you are unable to perform the duties of “any occupation” for which you have the education, training, or experience, and where the pay equals or exceeds 70% of your previous job’s current rate.