While many of us would like to believe that we are infallible, the reality is that we are all human. No matter how healthy you may be, there is no guarantee that you will remain that way. In fact, approximately 25% of 20 year olds can expect to be out of work for at least […]
Continue ReadingLong Term Disability
Do Long-Term Disability Benefits Have to Be Paid Back If I Start Receiving Social Security?
If you become disabled due to an illness or injury, you may look to two different forms of benefits to support you financially while you are unable to work: long-term disability (LTD) insurance and Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). Each type of benefit has an important role to play for people with disabilities. Together, they […]
Continue ReadingWhat Medical Conditions Qualify for Long-Term Disability?
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance coverage is typically offered by your employer as part of a compensation package, although you can also purchase a plan directly from an insurance broker. LTD insurance protects you in the event of total or partial disability based on a qualifying condition through your policy. In short, if you are unable […]
Continue ReadingWhat Is the Difference and Choosing Between Long-Term Disability and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
Finding yourself partially or totally disabled has devastating effects on your body and mind. Fortunately, there are resources and benefits for people who are unable to work due to an injury or medical condition. The most commonly used benefits are long-term disability insurance and Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). Both programs have their benefits and […]
Continue ReadingCan I Be Fired While on Disability Leave?
If you take leave from your job due to a disability, the last thing that you want to worry about is whether your job will be waiting for you when you return. Yet far too often, individuals who are out on disability leave find themselves in a precarious position when it comes to their employment. […]
Continue ReadingNew Jersey, Pennsylvania, & National Disability Statistics
Health is something that many of us take for granted. Yet for individuals with disabilities, having a medical or mental health problem can affect daily life in dramatic ways. As our health status can change in an instant, understanding more about disability is vital to our overall safety and well-being. Disability Across the United States […]
Continue ReadingInsurance Companies Using Surveillance to Deny Disability Claims: Is It Legal?
Many of us view our insurance policies as something that is always there to protect us, and our insurers as an extension of that protection. Yet in reality, insurance companies are a business. Their job is to make a profit — not to give away money. Insurance companies that offer long-term disability insurance are no […]
Continue ReadingERISA Subrogation and Reimbursement
Being approved for disability benefits can be a challenging process, whether you are seeking long-term disability (LTD) benefits through work or Social Security disability benefits. For many people, seeking LTD benefits first makes sense, particularly because qualifying for Social Security can be a lengthy process. One of the concerns that may arise with seeking both […]
Continue ReadingAetna Disability Claim Denials
Buying long-term disability insurance is a way of hedging your bets — of making payments every month to ensure that even if you get sick, have an accident or otherwise become disabled, you’ll be covered. Yet far too often, major insurance companies like Aetna deny legitimate claims for benefits all so they can turn a […]
Continue ReadingHow Can I Prove I Can’t Do Sedentary Work to the SSA?
Listen: How Can I Prove to the SSA That I Can’t Do Sedentary Work The process of applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be confusing. To qualify, you first must have worked in jobs in which you paid into Social Security. Then, you must have a condition or combination of […]
Continue ReadingWould a Dire Need Letter Help My Disability Appeal?
Applying for disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process. It typically takes the Social Security Administration (SSA) 3 to 5 months to make an initial determination on an application. If the initial appeal is denied, a Request for Reconsideration may take another 6 months. If the request for reconsideration is denied, then a […]
Continue ReadingDo You Have to Answer Insurance Company Requests for Documents?
When you are filing a claim for long-term disability benefits, it can seem like you spend all your time gathering paperwork. Do you have the right to say no? Or do you have to answer insurance company requests for documents? In this blog post I will discuss the various kinds of papers and documents that […]
Continue ReadingCan Your Insurance Company Terminate Ongoing Long-Term Disability Benefits if You Start Working?
When a long-term disability takes you away from your career, it doesn’t automatically mean you will have to stay home watching TV forever. Many disabled employees find meaning and money from part-time or full-time employment that suits their disability. But could that put their income in jeopardy? Can your insurance company terminate ongoing long-term disability […]
Continue ReadingWhat Happens After You File a Claim for Long-Term Disability Benefits
Deciding that you can no longer work because of a long-term disability is only the first step to what can seem like a very long process. Find out what happens after you file a claim for long-term disability benefits, and how soon you can expect to start receiving benefits. This blog post will review the […]
Continue ReadingShould You Sign That Long-Term Disability Insurance Policy Buyout?
Negotiating with your long-term disability insurance company doesn’t end when the adjuster agrees you are disabled. Dealing with ongoing disability assessments and claims forms can be a burden. So, when a long-term disability insurance policy buyout option arrives it might be tempting to sign the settlement agreement and be done with the insurance company forever. […]
Continue Reading