This article was last updated: Oct. 9th, 2026
Is There a List of Disabilities That Qualify for LTD?
Many people want to know if there is an official list of disabilities that qualify for Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits in Canada.
The answer is no.
There is no government or insurance company list that automatically qualifies someone for LTD benefits. Instead, insurance companies look at how your medical condition affects your ability to work.
This means two people with the same diagnosis may receive different decisions. One person may still be able to work, while the other may not.
In most cases, your condition must prevent you from doing the main duties of your job. If your symptoms make it impossible to work, you may qualify for LTD benefits, even if your condition is not listed in this article.
What Medical Conditions Can Qualify for LTD Benefits?
Many different medical conditions can qualify for Long-Term Disability benefits.
Some people have physical injuries. Others have chronic illnesses or mental health conditions. What matters most is how your condition affects your ability to work.
Some of the most common conditions include:
- mental health disorders;
- chronic pain conditions;
- neurological disorders;
- musculoskeletal conditions;
- heart conditions;
- respiratory diseases;
- autoimmune diseases;
- diabetes;
- cancer; and
- serious injuries.
Below is a closer look at the medical conditions that most often lead to successful LTD claims.
Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions are one of the most common reasons Canadians receive Long-Term Disability benefits.
These conditions may qualify if they make it difficult or impossible to perform the essential duties of your job.
Common mental health conditions include:
Depression
Major depressive disorder can affect your mood, energy, sleep, memory, and concentration.
Some people lose interest in daily activities. Others find it difficult to get out of bed or complete simple tasks.
When depression prevents someone from working, they may qualify for LTD benefits.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are more than everyday stress.
People with severe anxiety may struggle to concentrate, make decisions, meet deadlines, or work with others.
Common anxiety disorders include:
- generalized anxiety disorder;
- social anxiety disorder; and
- panic disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes major changes in mood, energy, and behaviour.
Some people experience periods of depression followed by periods of mania or hypomania.
These mood changes can make it difficult to keep a regular work schedule or perform job duties safely.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD causes unwanted thoughts called obsessions and repetitive behaviours called compulsions.
Many people spend hours checking, cleaning, counting, or repeating tasks. These symptoms can make it difficult to meet deadlines, stay focused, or complete work efficiently.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
Symptoms may include:
- flashbacks;
- nightmares;
- anxiety;
- trouble sleeping; and
- avoiding certain places or situations.
These symptoms can make it difficult to continue working.
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia affects how a person thinks, feels, and understands the world around them.
Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
These conditions can have a major effect on a person’s ability to work.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD may also qualify for LTD benefits in some cases.
Severe ADHD can affect attention, memory, organization, and time management.
Some people struggle to finish tasks, stay organized, or meet deadlines despite ongoing treatment.
Chronic Pain Conditions
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people apply for Long-Term Disability benefits.
Pain does not have to come from a recent injury. Many people live with pain for months or years, making it difficult to work full time.
If your pain prevents you from doing the main duties of your job, you may qualify for LTD benefits.
Common chronic pain conditions include:
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body. It can also lead to fatigue, poor sleep, memory problems, and trouble concentrating.
Many people with fibromyalgia find it difficult to sit, stand, lift, or stay focused for long periods.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), causes severe tiredness that does not improve with rest.
Even simple daily activities may leave someone exhausted. Many people also have problems with memory, concentration, and sleep.
Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Frequent headaches and migraines can make it difficult to work.
Some people experience severe pain, nausea, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and sound. These symptoms may force them to miss work or leave early.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
CRPS is a long-term pain condition that usually affects an arm or leg after an injury or surgery.
The pain is often much worse than expected and may be accompanied by swelling, changes in skin colour, stiffness, or limited movement.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions affect the muscles, joints, bones, and spine.
These conditions can make it difficult to lift, bend, stand, walk, or perform other physical tasks at work.
Common conditions include:
Arthritis
Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.
Symptoms often become worse over time and may make everyday activities difficult.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
It can cause severe pain, swelling, fatigue, and permanent joint damage.
Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada.
Some people recover within a few weeks. Others continue to have pain for months or years that limits their ability to work.
Herniated or Degenerative Discs
Disc problems can cause ongoing back pain, numbness, weakness, or pain that travels into the arms or legs.
Many people find it difficult to sit or stand for long periods.
Sciatica
Sciatica causes pain that travels from the lower back down one or both legs.
The pain may also include numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the wrist and hand.
It can make typing, writing, gripping tools, or performing repetitive work painful or difficult.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can affect movement, strength, feeling, and balance.
Depending on the severity of the injury, it may cause permanent disability.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders affect the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.
These conditions can affect both physical movement and thinking.
Many neurological disorders get worse over time.
Common examples include:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis damages the protective covering around nerves.
Symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness, balance problems, numbness, vision changes, and difficulty walking.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that affects movement.
People may develop tremors, stiffness, slower movements, and balance problems.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy causes repeated seizures.
Some people are able to control seizures with medication. Others continue to have seizures that make working unsafe.
Stroke
A stroke can leave lasting problems with speech, memory, movement, balance, or thinking.
Recovery is different for everyone. Some people return to work, while others cannot.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
These conditions affect memory, thinking, and decision-making.
As symptoms get worse, many people are no longer able to work safely.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS is a disease that affects the nerve cells that control muscles.
Over time, it causes weakness throughout the body and makes everyday activities more difficult.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury can happen after a blow or jolt to the head.
Some people recover quickly. Others continue to have headaches, memory problems, dizziness, fatigue, and trouble concentrating for months or years.
Heart Conditions
Heart conditions can affect your strength, stamina, and ability to work safely.
Many people qualify for LTD benefits because they become short of breath or tire easily during normal activities.
Common heart conditions include:
- heart failure;
- coronary artery disease;
- recovery after a heart attack; and
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Whether you qualify depends on how much the condition limits your ability to do your job.
Respiratory Conditions
Respiratory diseases affect your lungs and breathing.
Many people find it difficult to work because they become short of breath after only light activity.
Common respiratory conditions include:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD makes it difficult to move air in and out of the lungs.
Symptoms often include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tiredness.
Severe Asthma
Some people with asthma continue to have frequent attacks even with treatment.
This can make physical work, outdoor work, or jobs around dust or chemicals unsafe.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring of the lungs.
As the disease gets worse, breathing becomes more difficult, even while resting.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis causes a long-lasting cough and excess mucus.
Many people also have trouble breathing during physical activity.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body.
Many of these conditions come and go in flare-ups. During a flare-up, symptoms can become severe enough to stop someone from working.
Common autoimmune diseases include:
Lupus
Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain.
Many people experience pain, extreme tiredness, and periods when their symptoms suddenly become worse.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints.
It can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement, making many jobs difficult.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease includes:
- Crohn’s disease; and
- ulcerative colitis.
These conditions can cause severe stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and frequent trips to the bathroom.
During flare-ups, working full-time may not be possible.
Diabetes
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can qualify for Long-Term Disability benefits.
Having diabetes alone does not automatically qualify someone for benefits. The condition must cause serious complications that prevent the person from working.
These complications may include:
- nerve damage;
- vision loss;
- kidney disease;
- poor circulation;
- frequent low blood sugar episodes; or
- other health problems that affect daily life.
Cancer
Many people qualify for LTD benefits while receiving cancer treatment.
Cancer and its treatment can cause:
- severe fatigue;
- pain;
- nausea;
- weakness;
- memory problems; and
- reduced physical strength.
Some people return to work after treatment ends. Others continue to have lasting side effects that prevent them from working.
Every claim depends on the type of cancer, the treatment required, and how the condition affects the person’s ability to work.
Serious Injuries
Some injuries can leave permanent physical or mental limitations.
These injuries often require months or years of treatment and recovery.
Common examples include:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury may affect memory, concentration, balance, speech, and thinking.
Some people also develop headaches, dizziness, and ongoing fatigue.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can affect movement, feeling, strength, and balance.
Some injuries lead to permanent disability.
Severe Burns
Serious burns may require multiple surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation.
Many people also develop chronic pain, limited movement, or emotional trauma after a severe burn injury.
How Do Insurance Companies Decide If You Qualify?
Your diagnosis is only one part of your claim.
Insurance companies want to know how your condition affects your ability to work.
Most LTD policies first ask whether you can perform the main duties of your own job.
After a period of time, many policies change to an “any occupation” test. This means you must show that you cannot perform another job that matches your education, training, or work experience.
Every policy is different, so it is important to understand the definition of disability in your own insurance plan.
Medical Evidence Is the Key to a Strong Claim
Strong medical evidence is one of the most important parts of any LTD claim.
Insurance companies usually look for:
- medical records;
- specialist reports;
- treatment notes;
- test results, when available;
- a list of your medications;
- information about your work restrictions; and
- evidence that you are following your treatment plan.
Your records should clearly explain how your condition affects your ability to do your job.
Simply listing a diagnosis is often not enough.
Can More Than One Medical Condition Qualify?
Yes.
Many people applying for Long-Term Disability benefits have more than one medical condition.
For example, someone may have:
- chronic back pain and depression;
- fibromyalgia and anxiety;
- diabetes and heart disease; or
- multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue.
Insurance companies should consider the combined effect of all of your medical conditions when deciding whether you qualify for benefits.
Talk to a Lawyer
There is no official list of medical conditions that automatically qualifies someone for Long-Term Disability benefits.
What matters most is whether your condition prevents you from performing the essential duties of your job.
If your symptoms make it impossible to work, you may qualify for LTD benefits even if your condition is not listed in this article.
If your claim has been denied, delayed, or unfairly terminated, lawyers at NOVA Injury Law can help.
We help clients across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador understand their rights, prepare strong LTD claims, and appeal unfair insurance decisions.
Contact NOVA Injury Law today for a free consultation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The post Which Medical Conditions Qualify for Disability in Canada? appeared first on NOVA Injury Law.