What requirement must an individual meet to qualify for long term care insurance benefits?

To qualify for long-term care insurance benefits, an individual must be unable to perform two activities of daily living (ADLs). These activities typically include essential tasks necessary for self-care, such as bathing, dressing, eating, transferring (moving from one place to another), toileting, and continence. The inability to perform these activities indicates a need for assistance or supervision, which is the primary purpose of long-term care insurance.

This requirement is built into the policies as a means to determine the level of care needed by the individual and to ensure that the benefits are used for their intended purpose—supporting those who genuinely require long-term assistance due to incapacitation or chronic conditions. The emphasis is on functional incapacity rather than a specific diagnosis or age, which makes it more inclusive and applicable to a broader range of individuals who may need care.

While other options may reflect circumstances related to care needs (such as a chronic illness or residing in a nursing home), they do not directly address the core criterion of qualifying for benefits outlined in most long-term care insurance policies.