Long Term Disability and SS deductions

[brooksea]

Does anyone else have experience with the Private LTD insurance company waiting 2 years to let you know that "Oh, by the way, you owe us several thousand dollars because Social Security paid you more than we knew about! Cough it up in 15 days from the date of this letter or you will no longer receive benefits!" Plus, they are wanting repayment for the month SS Disability was activated, but we didn't receive payment til the next month! I just don't get it!

I had to beg the representative to send us the payment next week. She said she would, but they will deduct money out for pay back. My husband believes there will be no payment.

We are trying to refinance our house so we can do all the things that need to be done to accommodate our friend "ALS."

With all the financial bull%^$# you face with this disease, I never thought of making sure that SS and the disability insurance exactly equaled 60% of pre-disability income! Guess I've learned my lesson!

My husband is sooo stressed that he is going thru the crying/angry thing...:sad:

I would appreciate any feedback. THX

 

[joelc]

I wish I could offer words of wisdom!

All I can offer is understanding, support and my prayers!

I hope it gets resolved favorably!

 

[kelly]

Yes...we had to pay back over 15,000 it was a major ouch! We just did not get payments from our ltd until it was paid off. The whole system is so messed up. We were forced to apply for SS from our LTD insurance. That also messed up our cobra coverage (which Andrew's company was paying for). So after a month long fight with medicare we finally have things some what resolved. I could go on and on about this one. I totally understand what you are going through..it is maddening. Like we need this stress...right! I am so sorry that you are experiencing the same situation. My frown lines are getting deeper and deeper. Just remember..this to will pass...and will work out...right?!?

 

[rose]

CJ,

I'm sorry, the whole LTD thing is very disillusioning. I used to think the Aflac insurance duck was so cute, and now if one of their commercials come on I'm like, right, yeah, your LTD will be there for you. ~ sure. (I don't have Aflac though, maybe that's the problem.)

My LTD did the same thing about when SSD started, I was not successful in getting them to pay anything extra at all for the gap months I had between my last short term disability payment, and my first SSD check.

I've left my rep at the insurance company messages that she does not return. When I finally do speak to her, she will admit she got the messages, and has no explanation as to why she didn't get back to me. Amazing right? I'll bet she'd be returning those calls if they felt I owed them money though.

There is probably a statute limiting their demands for repayment from you. If you have someone you can trust that has an understanding of the law, or even an accountant, maybe this would be a way to better know what your rights are, and what the insurance company can demand. Maybe the ALS Guardian Angels could come up with counsel for you on this matter.

Good luck, I know its the last thing you need right now.

 

[brooksea]

15K? Sorry to hear about that Kelly!

I think I feel a little better now. What a crock!

I could get no understandable explanation from the "Ability Specialist" about how they came up with their figures. You would think that would be easy enough! But between the brain dead SS office and the LTD company you might as well be talking to a wall. I still have no statements from either to compare and I'm just supposed to go with the LTDs figures and hand the $$$ over NOW!

The duck makes me want to puke!

 

[Peg B]

Hi,

I did not experience anything like this and it sounds WRONG in a whole lot of ways. This is my understanding having been through some of this. LTD's job is to pay you 60% of the salary you were getting when you (husband) became disabled. They pay this unless you get another income. At that point they consider the other income and they pay you what adds up to 60% of the total you were making. In my case they lowered what they paid when I retired. This was based on the gross amount so I actually lost about 150 a month (net amount) until I got my SSD. My payout from SS first paid the lawyer and then paid back LTD all the months I was on LTD (1 and 1/2years), except their minimum of 100 dollars a month. Because I actually make more than 60% between SS and my retirement, my LTD has to continue to pay me that minimum a 100 dollars until I reach the age of 65. I am 60.

Now I know I am very blessed and I am only telling you this so you see a big difference. Your LTD company sounds pretty fishy. I hope they are just making a giant mistake. First of all there is NO WAY that they did not know what SSD was paying you. That is a complete LIE or a big mistake on their part.

When you call them and ask questions I would advise you to be so nice that you get someone who just WANTS to help you. I would also call them and not tell them who you are and ask general questions about what happens when you get SSD? That you are planning ahead and "just checking" how it works. I would call several people (use different phones so you cannot be identified). It is amazing how different people tell you different things. Same with SS, call several different times. We got amazing help from different people and then some other people who did not know their heads from other parts of their anatomy. Some were inpatient or cranky not helpful and down right incorrect in what they said. Also go back to the personal department at your husband's work and see how they can help. I would also call your church if you have one or local city or congress person and ask/beg for help, as in a LAWYER, who might help you for free. In each and every case, WRITE DOWN VERBATIM everything you are told including the date, name of company/organization, and person. We now keep a notebook just for this. All of this takes lots of time of course, but maybe you can get a friend to help.

I have done this several times with insurance companies and finally in one case, wore them down with a curious concession. One time the insurance company said, "Well, since you have everything we have said, these past months ALMOST VERBATIM we will go ahead and drop this and pay the bill." WHAT?! They had it all written down and were apparently trying to wear me out so I would pay what was not mine to pay. It may not be this way for you, but if it is well...If I can help, send me a private message with your local information and I will make calls for you. I am in Michigan, but I can make call. God bless you and best wishes, Peg

 

[serenade]

I have a LTD at my job and the way I understand it for myself is... I have to be off from work 6 months before I can use the LTD. I have to apply for SSDI, which is a 6-month process. After that they will see what I will get from SSDI add their $$$ but not to exceed 60% of my current salary up to age 66. I am about to find out if this is true as soon as my doctor completes all my paper work I'm done working I saved all my sick time for 26yrs. All the information shared here will keep me more alert to the insurance companies tactic of not doing their job well. Most companies have a grievance procedure that you can file if you do not think you have been treated appropriately. Their employee's can be held accountable if they have screwed up. A grievance will get you answers to what they otherwise ignore or avoid it is part of the policy for the company they will be forced to answer how this problem occurred and find solutions.

 

[hopingforcure]

Hi, ALS is a compassionate case disease and will be processed in 21 days. We have a lot of info here if you do a search you shold be able to find a lot of info. Welcome to the board.
Did you start the trial yet? I got the info also, although I already have a port, but I do not have anyone who could give me the treatment, everyone scared of needles.
Were do you go to the Doc?

 

[grantst44]

QUESTION! Hello everyone! I'm still new at this but my husband started STD thru work and starting receiving checks right away in February. (60% disability and 40% from his remaining sick/vacation) He then applied for Soc Security thru their website and he got his first check in March. I called SS to tell them he gets money thru his work disability benefit and they didn't say anything to us, we went down and filled out the forms for Soc Sec disability. He still gets the amount from SS for retirement (he's 63), not disability (yet). I asked them if this will affect his benefits thru work but they really didn't give us an answer. Just to be clear, my husband cannot receive both? I want to be prepared and not get a big bill to return the money. He will go on LTD thru work benefits in August. It sounds like I need to call his insurance company and tell them he started receiving money from Social Security? I really appreciate this forum, thank you so much everyone for any advise/suggestions you give.

 

[eireannach]

Hey.... why can't PALS hit Obama up for a stimulus package? He's giving it to other groups that have ALOT less need for it!

 

[brooksea]

Get a copy of the booklet that explains his LTD benefits. It should tell you if they will deduct the SS Disability payments from the amount they send to him per month. I haven't heard of a private disability company not doing this. Most private ltds will not allow you to earn more than 60% of your pre-disability income - period! Doesn't matter the source of the other income, they will deduct it.

When you sign up for the LTD, they will ask you what other income he has.

 

[grantst44]

Thanks so much for the info.

 

[brooksea]

After receiving benefits from the private disability company thru the mail for almost two years now, they all of a sudden are requesting that we fill out an "eft" (electronic funds transfer). This would allow direct deposit into our checking account. Why now? You can't tell me they didn't have this capability two years ago, this is a huge insurance company (doesn't quack though :wink!

I can't help but be suspicious about this, because in reading the fine print it looks as if they can also pull money out of our account for various reasons (perhaps like the "overpayment" of funds for over a year.)

I will have to investigate this further.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[michellele]

I'm a paralegal for Social Security Disability but we do not handle private disability. If I were you I would request from your local Social Security office a breakdown of everything paid to you by months, etc. Then request a breakdown from the private disability as well and compare the two. Make sure Social Security didn't offset already for the private insurance or vice versa.