If a disabled worker recovers and then becomes disabled again within five years, what is required before they can receive benefits again?

If a disabled worker recovers and then becomes disabled again within five years, what is required before they can receive benefits again?

• A. A new waiting period
• B. No waiting period
• C. A review of previous claims
• D. Immediate reinstatement

Answer: (A)

In the scenario where a disabled worker recovers and subsequently becomes disabled again within five years, the requirement for a new waiting period must be fulfilled before they can receive benefits again. This is generally applicable in many disability insurance policies as it ensures that the worker's condition is reevaluated and confirmed to be disabling again, rather than merely a continuation of the previously established disability.

The rationale behind implementing a new waiting period is to allow the insurer to assess the new claim in the context of the worker's recent recovery and evaluate the extent of the new disabling condition. Insurers need to establish that the new disability is indeed legitimate and not a mere extension of the prior condition.

This policy also encourages accountability and ensures that claimants are genuinely in need of support before benefits are reactivated. Each claim is treated on its individual merits after a recovery period, which is a standard practice in the industry.