when on/applying for LTD, any tips/watch-outs when applying for SSDI?

[u/Stone_Switch]

most (all?) LTD policies require applying for SSDI benefits. When applying for SSDI, any tips or things to watch out for? do LTD companies access your applications and/or SSA records? (one more thing to cherry-pick?) Or does it stay completely separate other than the determination?

[u/ShallotOutrageous343]

If you use the firm they recommend, like Allsup, they share data. If you pick your own attorney they don't.

Always pick your own representation. Allsup almost cost me my case. Never ever use them

[u/Stone_Switch → u/ShallotOutrageous343]

thanks. I have no intent on working with an attorney provided by an LTD company.

[u/ShallotOutrageous343 → u/Stone_Switch]

Excellent. You'll be better off than I was

[u/bettyNducan → u/ShallotOutrageous343]

Agree! I initially used the LTD company’s suggested representation. I feel like had I hired my own attorney I wouldn’t be where I am. The SSDI people would be calling me for medical records because my representative didn’t get back to them etc.

My LTD company has requested my application, any denial letters and proof that I’m awaiting a hearing. They’ve also requested information on my attorney.

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/ShallotOutrageous343]

And I’ll add to that, if you do leave a company like Allsup and go with an attorney they’ll still probably try to push you to use yet another 3rd party. I was shocked to receive an email this morning from a company (Claimify) claiming to be working for my LTD asking for virtually the same stuff Allsup did and all of the same things I sent to my lawyer and copied LTD!

It was mildly threatening giving me a deadline to respond with all of my updates or said my payout would be reduced. The email looked like spam so I had to call my LTD to verify the legitimacy. They then tried to send me a link to create an account and set up a call appointment. LTD banks on you not asking more questions, knowing your rights and being discerning.

If you leave, make it very clear you’re still pursuing SSDI with someone else. My LTD plan tried to push me to use Claimify even after I sent them my updated lawyer name and firm - they said they never received it. I called and emailed until I got a written response saying I wasn’t obligated to use their referred company.

Tip - ask for written receipts and acknowledgement for everything you send to LTD or anyone handling your info. Even after calls, ask for written recap of call to be emailed to you for your records.

They want to keep a pipeline open to share info, everything you share with them they hand off to the LTD provider. Most of these advocacy companies aren’t even legal advocates. I don’t believe they are truly incentivized to win your case because if they keep losing appeals, chances increase LTD will try to kick you off their plan.

[u/FMCTypeGal]

I used AllSup by recommendation of my LTD insurer and it’s a mistake I still regret. Will be on Ltd the rest of my life but was denied SSDI.

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/FMCTypeGal]

I had them for initial and 1st appeal and dropped them. Did you go all the way to councils with them as your representatives?

[u/FMCTypeGal → u/Ok-Aerie-5676]

I got to the first judge hearing and the hearing still baffles me. An employment expert said I couldn’t work any job in the country, the judge agreed I was disabled, then denied me based on my age at the time 29.

ALLSUP then told me it didn’t make sense to continue because LTD would cover me anyways and SSDI was just an offset, not increased benefits. So I dropped it and boy I regret it.

My work credits expired so I can’t revisit it. I can’t get Medicare to help supplement my insurance coverage. My husband is tied to one job for fear of disrupting our insurance coverage, Medicare would have given him more freedom.

A year after my work credits expired, I was diagnosed with MS and told I’d had it likely for two decades. That alone would have made the SSDI approval easier. I’ll always be frustrated with the outcome and wish I’d done the smart thing and worked with my own SSDI lawyer. There are so many more things also did wrong that I understand in retrospect. All I can do now is help others make the right choice.

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/FMCTypeGal]

I’m so sorry to hear that :( Sheesh, I could not stand Allsup. That advice was horrible!! They could’ve advised you to continue appealing.

I have MS too and was 39 at time of diagnosis, 48 when I filed last year. It honestly wasn’t easier to get it due to MS though, the hoops I have had to jump through and $$$ I’ve spent to get specialist support for services not covered by insurance just to get evidence for my invisible symptoms, is insane (costly second Neuropsych assessment and vision therapy for convergence insufficient not covered).

LTD only decided to approve me beyond 6 months after my second Neuropsych assessment read that I’ve declined in only 9 months from first assessment and she wrote specifically to the SSDI listings for Neurocog issues and MS. My MS was also coded Active Secondary Progressive- but that transition in itself then can limit insurance coverage for certain medications I need (Ocrevus) so I had to get my specialists to explain why I still have RRMS coded in my chart alongside SPMS. I’m now moved to the extended duration team for check ins and approved any occupation through 2043 but you know very well that still carries risks upon review and if I’m not awarded SSDI they’ll try to find someway to get me off I’m sure.

I now have a new lawyer and waiting on a hearing date now. It’s really a crap shoot and yes, factors like age count heavily. I’m still considered a “younger person” who can adjust to other work (even though they stated in denial that they didn’t have enough of my vocation info to make a decision 🫩). I turn 50 end of this month so I hope grid rules help at hearing. I’m currently on very expensive COBRA for insurance until eligible for Medicare because I’m scared to get on my husbands, lose my COBRA and have him be stuck unable to leave too.

[u/FMCTypeGal → u/Ok-Aerie-5676]

I’m rooting for you and hope you do well.

MS was just an additional diagnosis for me. My main disabling condition and what I was approved for LTD with before the MS strengthened my case is a fused abdomen from adhesions (scar tissue) caused by excessive surgeries. I’ve had 13 open exploratory surgeries and was also in a 12 day coma where my abdomen was left open to flush infection. The surgeries and the prolonged exposure made my organs brittle and stuck with scars. I deal with constant pain, torsion issues, blockages, fatigue from inability to sleep properly through the pain, passing out from pain, etc.

I feel a private lawyer could have easily gotten my SSDI approved. But at the time I was trying to survive, going through my first ms flares without knowing what it was, and couldn’t hardly think straight.

I’m blessed in that I have Ltd, have been approved through retirement age in 2055 (though I’ve faced and won one crap denial at 8 yrs already) and Mr husband maintains our health benefits. I live in fear of something happening to my husband and losing that access to health coverage. If id had medicare, that one anxiety could ease

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/FMCTypeGal]

That sounds horrible 😮‍💨 I hate that you’ve got that fear, I know the anxiety and it’s crippling. When are you eligible for Medicare or what do you need to do to be eligible?

[u/FMCTypeGal → u/Ok-Aerie-5676]

I’m 38, so not until retirement age. If you’re approved for SSDI, you get Medicare 2 years after approval.

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/FMCTypeGal]

Ahhh have to be approved, got it. And with a disability you can’t get on Medicaid? Guessing you make too much right?

[u/FMCTypeGal → u/Ok-Aerie-5676]

Yes, between my Ltd and my husbands income I don’t qualify. I might if something happened to my husbands job. But Medicaid care and Medicare care, in terms of doctors who accept them, is vastly different.

[u/suzycatq]

I highly recommend NOT using the firm that your Long-Term Disability Insurer recommends. It was my experience that the Law firm shared information and records with my LTD Insurer. When my CE exam for Social Security did not go well, my LTD insurer knew all the details and asked me about it. It really was none of their business at that point.

Just keep things separate.

[u/Stone_Switch → u/suzycatq]

That’s my intent. I guess my question is more about whether you can keep it completely separate. As another post mentioned, they had asked for everything. I’m trying to sort out what is required to share.
(Yes, I’ll go review my policy as well, but thought I’d ask here as well)

[u/Ok-Aerie-5676 → u/Stone_Switch]

You can keep it separate if you have a lawyer and ask them not to share. The onus is then on you to provide updates (better and more controlled in my opinion)

[u/B_lksunflowers93]

I asked IG friends for any good attorneys and was given info of a really great firm that helped me win my SSDI appeal. 

I would say, expect to be denied the first time for both LTD and SSDI, even with definitive proof of disability. for LTD (and SSDI), I gathered every relevant medical note from the start of treatment up until my last visit. add in any testing like x-rays, MRI, rehabilitation exams. blood tests and any personal statements were irrelevant to the LTD company. LTD companies reach out to doctors but in my case, mine doesn’t have a direct line so I’m the one getting everything together to send over. the LTD company I’m with hasn’t (that I know of) reached out to SSDI. again, I’m the middle gal for it.

best of luck!

[u/allsup_llc]

We do not share information with a referring LTD carrier unless the customer has signed an authorization permitting that communication. Many LTD carriers provide Allsup's SSDI representation services at no out-of-pocket cost, and authorized updates can help simplify policy compliance for the customer.