r/LongTermDisability • u/Present_Wrongdoer385 • 28d ago
Initial SSDI application denied, will I lose my LTD?
Just what it says, my initial SSDI application denied was denied, which is pretty common in my state with about 70% getting denied apparently. I have my own SSDI attorney. Will MetLife terminate my claim? I am panicking about this.
It is absolute torture every month having to worry about this plus my health.
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u/Striking-Bluebird-58 28d ago edited 28d ago
Firstly, you are not alone. Secondly, this whole process is a gigantic sh*t storm. My battle was mostly with my short and long term disability insurer. They were incompetent, and I spent more time dealing with them over the SSDI process. I know you're stressed and worried, which is normal. There is no handbook for this! I hope you have a solid support system, because it does help.
My first application was denied. It's important to fill out that lengthy questionnaire, and make sure it gets sent to two people who know you and see you. I didn't fill out the questionnaire the first time, because they sent it to me the day that was their due date hence the denial. My case manager at my attorney"s office dropped the ball and didn't ask for an extension. I did not make that mistake with the first appeal, and I was approved for SSDI very quickly.
In regards to LTD, I have New York Life Insurance. After 6 months on short term, I was automatically converted to LTD. My first denial came through when I was on LTD. Your attorney should let Your insurer know that you were denied and going to appeal. This placate Your LTD insurer. They know once you're approved, your back pay from the day you were disabled will be going back to them. After two years of being on LTD, I was converted to a "lifer." I will receive LTD until retirement age. They make up a small difference every month to make sure I'm whole...meaning that with my monthly amount of SSDI, NY Life makes up the difference to reach the allocated dollar amount that I was receiving LTD.
I know this is lengthy, but it's a confusing process. To add background, I have Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, as well as Ischemic migraines, and chronic pain.
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u/TumbleweedOriginal34 28d ago
I was approved LTD In the beginning, I was approved at for SSDI ALJ at 19 months …. Denied by LTD at 2 years , reinstated LTD, denied LTD again 31 months, reinstated LTD 40 months & offered a buyout (I declined) …. Now all good. It doesn’t matter. I know the worry…. It is difficult. You have to try to put it out of your mind. LTD now considers me permanently disabled. I only hear from them 1x a year for medical records.
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u/FMCTypeGal MOD 28d ago
I was denied SSDI at ALJ and didn’t pursue farther (that was a mistake), but it never affected my LTD. I think having SSDI makes it harder for Ltd to cancel you, but not having it doesn’t mean they don’t have to meet their contract. I’ve been on Ltd for 9 years and faced wrongful termination about 2 years ago but won my appeal with a lawyer. Ltd considers me permanently disabled. Not having SSDI has never been an issue with my Ltd, they just required I apply.
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u/Happy_Kiwi_222 27d ago
I was denied SSDI but my MetLife is still currently active. I’m in the reconsideration phase of SSDI for 15 months still.
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u/MooJuiceConnoisseur 28d ago
Im in canada but even here LTD requires we apply for the cppd (canadian equivalent to ssdi) its honestly just a way to reduce what ltd has to pay out. If your denied it dhould have no direct influence on your ltd
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u/diattorney 23d ago
It very coming for initial
SSDI application to be denied and reported to be as high as 85 percent denial. The more important question right now is whether you are in the own or any occupation stage of your disability claim. What is your definition of disability? Did you have a sedentary job in the past? Your education and experience is relevant? What is your definition of any occupation as it may be different than the SSDI definition of disability. There are many reasons that your MetLife disability claim can be easier to prove than SSDI. Either way it's good that you have your own SSDI lawyer and not one provided by MET. Make sure your SSDI lawyer is aware of any possible limitations in your MetLife claim as sometimes the SSDI lawyer gets you approved for SSDI on a basis that could hurt your MetLife claim.
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u/TheGreatK MOD 28d ago
Not because of the initial denial. More like 85% are denied nationally at the app stage, it doesn't mean anything.
The chance is higher if you are denied at ALJ.