[piano97]

Hi. I applied for disability with SS a couple months ago and was approved last week. A few weeks prior to approval I filed a claim with former employer and dated it back to when I first was sick. (November 2014). I wondered if anyone had experience with this process. I think I did things backwards but I think will be impossible for LTD to not approve me when SS already did.

The first time I called LTD they said I didn't even have a policy.

The second time they told me the same.

The third time they said employer had switched providers so I didn't have a claim with them.

Finally, I talked to someone who helped me. I explained everything, and now they are processing the claim. I saw MD today and he filled out paperwork for LTD.

One issue is that I didn't accept bipolar for a long time. I said it was stress, neurological inflammation, thyroid, my cat died, etc. I came up with something different every few months. Even though MD kept saying otherwise. And I kept having episodes (rapid cycling) every couple months which then took progressively longer to bounce back from, then episodes got worse.

Long story short I had a manic episode over the summer and just now am healing from. Switched to zyprexa about 6 weeks ago and I think is helping. I felt in a fog at first but is better now.

But the purpose I was getting at, is that because I went back to work so many times, will they hold that against me? SS obviously didn't and they actually backdated it about 15 months.

I wonder about LTD though because on the forms I backdated it to show true onset. They called to schedule a phone appointment today, for tomorrow. I have paperwork to give them that shows all of the leaves of absence, all my appointments for the last 2 years (there's a ton of MD and therapist). Meds, etc.

I'm really hoping this works out because I do not want to keep relying on my family to support me. It's embarrassing for my brother to send me grocery gift cards and mom/dad to pay mortgage. Embarrassing isn't the right word really. I'm very thankful for it, just wish I could be on my feet enough to not need the help. LTD would fill some of the gap.

When I first got sick I had a good policy, I just hope that they approve it backdated. I can not find my policy so I asked them to send to me in mail (a few days ago). I did find a sample policy from them though, and on mental health it said ''two year maximum for mental disorders 'primarily' (in italics) of self-reported symptoms. I know my chart will show objective depressive and manic episodes.

I'm overthinking it! Just getting my thoughts out. Thanks for reading and I welcome any insight on the subject. Again, I'm basically doing things backwards, but I didn't apply before because I refused to accept diagnosis. (Though I have always taken meds and therapy. We've changed dosages many many times). I finally feel like I'm having some improvements and I hope that continues. Thanks.

[Wild Coyote]

I had started my LTD claim and my SSDI claim at the same time.
My SSDI was approved long before my LTD claim.
LTD usually offsets the SSDI monies.

For instance, if your policy states your LTD will equal 60% of your base salary, your SSDI and LTD will (initially) total only 60%. Over time, you will receive SSDI annual increases, yet usually the original amount of the LTD payment never changes (no cost-of-living increases).

I used no attorney on my SSDI claim; it was immediately granted. I hired an attorney just to write a letter on the LTD claim in order to force payment. If SSDI approves your claim, usually LTD also has to accept that decision. My LTD was being evasive. (Note: I did not hire an attorney to take the case, I only paid him to write a letter. We had settled upon a $75.00 fee for the letter, which I had mostly pre-drafted. The attorney just worded one paragraph and used his firm's letterhead.) LTD paid up immediately, and retroactively.

There are some finer points about your claim for which I don't have any helpful input.

Good for you for pursuing these sources of income.
Keep up the good work. I know it can be a difficult battle when challenged with disabling illness.


WC