Are You Seeking Long-Term Disability?

The purpose of Long-Term Disability (LTD) is to provide financial support to you and/or your dependents during a health crisis such as a severe injury or illness. Often, insurance companies that provide long term disability look for ways to delay and deny claims due to their expense. Our Plano SSD attorneys should be contacted immediately if you are having trouble getting your LTD claim approved or your claim has been rejected. You will need a tough advocate to fight for your rights!

Recovering Benefits With Long-Term Disability Claims

Very few people have a thorough understanding of their insurance policies, particularly the frequently confusing guidelines regarding claims. After years of making monthly payments to your insurance carrier, it can be stressful to have a claim denied, especially when financial support is needed for a long term disability. Your rights to benefits are protected under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and include the following:

• The disclosure of important plan information
• A just process for claims
• An explanation of the denial provided in writing
• An appeals process for denials
• The ability to file a lawsuit if a claim has been rejected

Tips For Applying For Disability

If you are disabled and seriously considering applying for Social Security Disability, you’ve probably heard people say something to the effect of, “It’s nearly impossible to get approved!” To an extent, this is true. Mainly because the Social Security Administration has a very strict definition of “disability.” Under the SSA’s definition, to be disabled means that you have a condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Having a medical condition that will last a year or more is not enough. In order to qualify for disability benefits, your condition must prevent you from engaging in lighter, easier, or modified work. For example, if you were confined to a wheelchair, the SSA would want to know, “Can you use your arms?” If your upper body is fine and you can do data entry-type work, or if you can answer phones, you probably wouldn’t qualify for disability benefits.

Incomplete Applications Cause Delays

When people apply for disability benefits, they have a large responsibility in regards to gathering the right documents. Many applicants would attest that applying for disability is a job in itself, especially for people who have physical or cognitive issues that make filling out an application exceedingly difficult. To improve your chances of getting approved for SSD benefits the first time, follow our advice:

• Before filing a claim, gather all of your medical records.
• Be sure to receive proper medical care for your condition. If you don’t keep up with your doctors’ visits, this will act against you.
• Understand that your doctor’s opinion about your condition can make or break your claim.
• If possible, have your doctor fill out a residual functional capacity form, which details your limitations and provides a forecast of your ailment.
• Once you apply for disability, the SSA will send you a package in the mail. Resubmit your medical records with the forms included in the package.

Note: One of the biggest mistakes that applicants make is continue working a full-time job until they apply for disability, or until the SSA renders a decision. Even if they can’t afford not to work, this practice will undermine a disability application, often leading to a denial.

Get The Help You Need from The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC

The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, is a proven legal office that provides clients pursuing disability benefits with skilled representation and assistance. Our Plano social security disability attorneys are highly qualified in disability laws and can give you vital advice regarding filing a claim. If your LTD claim has been denied, our firm can review your case and discuss your options. We are strong advocates that can aggressively challenge the denial and pursue all available legal remedies to ensure that you get the benefits that you are due.

Contact the Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, if your long-term disability claim has been denied in Texas.