Public Announcement of '7 Common Misconceptions' That Can Lead to Missing the Opportunity to Apply for Disability Pension

Zen-koku Shogai Nenkin Partners, a social insurance labor consultant firm specializing in disability pensions with over 2,500 clients supported, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and represented by Taketoshi Miyasato, has announced '7 Misconceptions' related to disability pension applications.

The 7 misconceptions announced this time are not due to the complexity of the system itself, but rather stem from beliefs such as 'I can do it myself smoothly,' 'I can get it right away,' or 'The doctor and the counter staff will handle everything,' which lead to the loss of application opportunities.

'7 Misconceptions' That Hinder Applications

Below, we present the 7 most common misconceptions compiled from the voices of clients supported by Zen-koku Shogai Nenkin Partners, detailing the actual content of these 'misconceptions'.

1. 'I can handle the procedure myself' = 'I can proceed without problems'

You can apply for disability pension yourself if you meet the eligibility requirements.

However, in practice, issues such as 'the system and procedures are complex, leading to exhaustion before application,' 'the timing or content of the medical certificate request is inappropriate,' or 'the application form and the medical certificate content are contradictory' can arise.

Disability pension is a system that relies heavily on document screening, and the consistency of the document content is crucial. Many people stumble at this point.

2. 'If I consult the pension office, they will tell me my chances of receiving benefits'

The pension office plays an important role as a point of contact for consultations and applications for disability pension. However, they are not in a position to provide strategic advice based on individual circumstances, such as 'how to receive benefits.'

While they can confirm requirements like the insurance premium payment conditions, they may not be able to provide personalized advice on specific preparations or how to assemble the necessary documents for receiving benefits.

3. 'If I consult my doctor, they will actively cooperate with disability pension applications'

Unlike the medical certificate for a disability certificate, the disability pension medical certificate is not a system where the outcome is solely determined by the doctor's judgment.

Therefore, doctors may provide ambiguous answers such as 'I think it's possible, but I can't guarantee it' or 'It might be difficult.' Furthermore, creating medical certificates takes time, placing a significant burden on medical professionals.

4. 'Hospital counselors are knowledgeable about disability pensions'

Hospital counselors (social workers) are responsible for many tasks, including patient support, discharge coordination, and medical expense consultations.

Consequently, disability pension is only one part of their consultation duties, and they are not always well-versed in the entire system.

5. 'Once I apply, I will receive the disability pension immediately'

Disability pension is not a system where you receive benefits immediately after submitting an application.

According to a separate survey published by our firm, the average examination period from document submission to decision alone is...