Helping a client return to work – Everything you need to know

Who helps clients return to work? – Everything you need to know

In reading this and the linked articles you will understand:

• The support providers offer clients claiming on income protection to help their return to work
• The wide range of services available and how providers compare in their approaches
• The eligibility restrictions or other limitations that apply

Clients might not realise the support that income protection plans offer is not just financial. Of course, the reason that many will be discussing income protection with their adviser is because they want to ensure they have financial security if they were too ill to work. But when the time comes for clients to make that important step back to work, they are not alone. Through their Income protection plans, providers offer a wide array of support services all aimed at easing the journey and supporting clients as they venture back to the workplace. Here we take a look at everything you need to know about how providers support clients returning to work.

Support for clients during claim to help them get fit for working

Both the physical and emotional impact of incapacity on the client and their family, means that where possible it is vital that insurers do everything they can to help clients back to work. Rehabilitation Services aim to aid a client’s recovery when they have suffered a debilitating injury or illness. There are a number of services available to cover a range of treatments covering both physical and mental health.  

To read more click here

Career support services

Unfortunately, some clients who claim on their income protection policy will be unable to return to the same job they did before they had an accident or became ill. Depending on the reason for the claim they may find that a less stressful or emotionally demanding occupation will be best for their long-term health, or perhaps they may need to move from a physical job to a desk based role. Some insurers will provide career support services to help such clients find a new role, perhaps a completely different occupation that will involve retraining.  

To read more click here  

Counselling Services

The impact of becoming ill or injured affects far more than just a consumer’s financial life. Such events can so easily affect a clients mental wellbeing too. Additionally in the current environment there are a lot of people  suffering stress related to the impact of COVID-19 on their family and fears of losing their jobs or income while the country has imposed a period of enforced isolation. Many insurers provide counselling and other support services, so clients get more than just financial help.

To read more click here

Supporting a successful transition back into the workplace

Going back to work is a big deal for clients who have been through the mill with their health and it needs to be handled in the right way to ensure that it works out well for the client, the employer and the insurer. Clients may feel like they have lost their nerve and this lack of confidence may colour the whole experience, which should be a positive one.

To read more click here

Returning to work on a limited basis

A clients’ return to work may be part of a phased plan where they re-enter the workforce on a part time basis. There is also the possibility that the client may not be able to return to the same role they were in previously and so their return to work may not bring in as much income compared to their pre-incapacity income. Providers offer support to clients in these scenarios with the use of proportionate benefits.

To read more click here

Supporting clients who need to make a subsequent claim

Clients suffering from the most common conditions that income protection providers hear of on a daily basis – the musculoskeletal conditions which affect the joints, bones and muscles; mental health conditions; cancer and heart attack – will know that quite often the problems never really go away completely. Sometimes the original condition can even trigger a different health problem leading to potentially even more time off work. Providers offer a linked claim benefit where the deferred period is waived if returners to work are unable to work again due to the same illness or a connected condition.

To read more click here

Watch out for future “Everything you need to know” pieces where each week we will cover a different topic and provide you with the information you need to know to discuss the topics with your clients 

Things to reflect on for CPD: 

• What are the top 3 new things you have learnt from this article? Why have these stood out for you? What benefits do they offer your client demographic?
• Reflect alone or with your peers on how you can integrate these benefits into you client conversations. How would you put this into action in a consistent way? What will the benefits of doing this be for your business and your clients?
• Hospitalisation benefit is paid by many insurers if the life assured is required to spend an extended period of time in hospital which may be the case on income protection claims. Use the Protection Guru website to research this topic and identify 3 key learning points you can use in your conversations