Maria, a 38-year-old small business owner in Quebec, has individual disability insurance with a 90-day elimination period. She becomes totally disabled on October 1st. Assuming her policy ensures benefits are paid monthly after the elimination period, when can Maria expect to receive her first disability benefit payment?

Question: Maria, a 38-year-old small business owner in Quebec, has individual disability insurance with a 90-day elimination period. She becomes totally disabled on October 1st. Assuming her policy ensures benefits are paid monthly after the elimination period, when can Maria expect to receive her first disability benefit payment?

Answer options:

• December 31st ✅ January 1st (for the December period)
• January 30th (for the December period)
• December 1st

Correct answer: January 1st (for the December period)

Explanation: The 90-day elimination period ends on December 29th (October 1 to Dec 29 = 90 days), after which benefits accrue. The first monthly payment would then be made for the period following the elimination period, typically paid at the end of the first full month benefits are payable, meaning January 1st payment for the December period.