[MagicsMom]

I've been out of work on STD for 6 months and am now waiting for approval on LTD through my work.

Has anyone been approved for either work supplied LTD or SSD? The LTD company said if I am approved I have to apply for SSD.

Thanks!

[vjdragonfly]

Don't know how it really goes through work, but I know ppl that are on ssd for bp. By what I understand you have to have hospitalizations and such (not for sure though).

[swheaton]

From what I have heard, it's tough to get.

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by swheaton

From what I have heard, it's tough to get.

Yeah, I've heard that too. Where I live, supposedly most ppl get denied the first time so you have to reapply.

[~Christina]

Disability for BP can be difficult .. altho some people are approved within months so its odd that way. I do know that you really need to have documentation from Pdoc's and any hospital stays .. the more the better even then sometimes it can getting 2-3 denials and waiting to finally get a hearing and that can take a couple years. It's not an easy process for most people.

[Greg57]

I'm on SSD for Bi polar, ptsd, and clinical depression. Get a lawyer

[MagicsMom]

Thanks Greg. My LTD through my company should be approved tomorrow. I have all my paperwork from my therapist and my psychiatrist.

My husband is on for the same reasons as you and he was approved the first time.

What did your lawyer do for you and how much did it cost you?

Thanks!

[dillpickle1983]

I'm on ssdi for Bipolar, that's the official disorder. I've been rediagnosed as Schizoaffective.

Sent from the pickle jar using TapaTalk 4.

[EJB5565]

Originally Posted by Greg57

I'm on SSD for Bi polar, ptsd, and clinical depression. Get a lawyer

I was wondering if you had to go to a hearing? I am waiting on my hearing Jan. 30th. I have some anxiety over what to expect. I have a lawyer, but he is not saying much at this point on what the hearing will be like. I have looked on line and found a couple videos, but not much. I appreciate any input you might lend. Thanks

[Greg57]

SSD pays retroactivley from the day you first apply, whether your granted it the 1st time(typically not) to the time of your approval.

My lawyer handled everything...I did not have a hearing...but did have to see a state psych for an evaluation. My lawyer based his fee on how much money I got retroactively. I don't remember exactly how much it cost...I know it was under 2k.

Call around to specialty lawyers, to choose which one is best for you.

As far as Long term disability goes, once you get SSD they will try their best to get you to settle with them. They can even threaten (in my case) to discontinue their payments if you do not go back to work or try to find another job. I settled...I wish I hadn't. Talk to your lawyer about this as well.

Greg

[MagicsMom]

Greg: do you mean the LTD company wanted you to settle? It's my understanding that if I get approved for SSD they'll dump me and take all the retroactive pay I would get from SSD.

With an attorney did you qualify the first time?

Thanks!

[EJB5565]

Originally Posted by Greg57

SSD pays retroactivley from the day you first apply, whether your granted it the 1st time(typically not) to the time of your approval.

My lawyer handled everything...I did not have a hearing...but did have to see a state psych for an evaluation. My lawyer based his fee on how much money I got retroactively. I don't remember exactly how much it cost...I know it was under 2k.

Call around to specialty lawyers, to choose which one is best for you.

As far as Long term disability goes, once you get SSD they will try their best to get you to settle with them. They can even threaten (in my case) to discontinue their payments if you do not go back to work or try to find another job. I settled...I wish I hadn't. Talk to your lawyer about this as well.

Greg

I was not aware that there was a second phase once you were granted SSD. Can you explain further what you are talking about when you say you chose to settle? Did anything help you prepare for your hearing? I fear being beaten down by the vocational person over the issue of thinking there is some form of work I could do. Thanks

[thickntired]

Hi,

I have been on ssdi since about 2011. Use a lawyer - they will take 25% of your back pay. I had to see a PhD for an evaluation and wait one year from the approval date for medicare to start. I was on LTD then fired from 2 jobs in a 3 yr period.

TnT

[MagicsMom]

That's the same as my husband except he didn't use a lawyer and he got approved the first time.

My issue is if I'm on LTD and if I get approved they take all the money. So I'd have to pay the lawyer out of my pocket.

[Travelinglady]

Hubby and I are. I also have physical health problems that were considered, too, such as fibromyalgia.

[Greg57]

I chose to go to school to learn a new vocation. The schooling and personal expenses were paid for through the long term insurance company and a state program (in NY called VESID). It was after I completed the schooling that the insurance company offered a settlement. SSD and LTI payments would be affected by how much money I made. I thought that I had been cured of ptsd and depression, and thought that I would make more money than I did. So I took the settlement to help defray some of the start-up costs.

Big mistake!(as you can tell by my being here). If I hadn't taken the settlement, they would have still been making payments equal to my original salary.

Greg

[Greg57]

Magic mom: no they don't take the retroactive pay...only a certain pecentage.

Greg

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by MagicsMom

That's the same as my husband except he didn't use a lawyer and he got approved the first time.

My issue is if I'm on LTD and if I get approved they take all the money. So I'd have to pay the lawyer out of my pocket.

MM,

I'm so sorry about that. I had no idea they would take everything - that's terrible. I'm glad your husband was approved, and I don't think it's impossible to be approved without a lawyer. It's just a lot of paperwork which can be overwhelming on top of a mental illness.

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by Greg57

I chose to go to school to learn a new vocation. The schooling and personal expenses were paid for through the long term insurance company and a state program (in NY called VESID). It was after I completed the schooling that the insurance company offered a settlement. SSD and LTI payments would be affected by how much money I made. I thought that I had been cured of ptsd and depression, and thought that I would make more money than I did. So I took the settlement to help defray some of the start-up costs.

Big mistake!(as you can tell by my being here). If I hadn't taken the settlement, they would have still been making payments equal to my original salary.

Greg

Greg,

I thought about returning to school even though I have a MBA, but then I read about what you experienced. That is awful. I'm so sorry you have had your problems return. I have bipolar I which is permanent and usually worsens with age. Maybe you could try to be reapproved with a pdoc backing you?