Odd. With an attorney, SS holds out the amount (or a bit more) and pays them directly. You can receive up to 80% of your previous wages, was his LTD that high???

I am so praying over your case and hoping that it all comes out favorable. We were fortunate to get a good judge...husband wants to send him a thank you note. Gosh if anyone needs SSDI it is you:wink:

Husband called SS today and they said the attorney was already paid from our back-pay. They paid them first, then us. Husband LTD was 60% of his wages. SS paid husband 15 mos of back pay. I am confused about the 5month waiting period, so SS never pays for that first 5 months of waiting correct?

LTD person told husband today that they will only get the SS amount that excludes any COLA adjustments (they are not allowed to get those raise amounts).

We now have to wait for paperwork showing payment from SS etc. Then we give that to LTD, they in turn will invoice us what we owe them. We then write them the check.

Yeah, I thought SS paid LTD CARRIER not us.

You need to speak with the LTD carrier or dig out the contract.

There is a possibility, that he will receive more money than you thought. Let's say he made 10k per year. LTD paid 6k. SSDI pays 4k. Your hubby's can receive 8k. So he can keep 4k from SSDI, and his LTD is reduced from 6k to 4k.

I might be WRONG. Please check.

Yes, 5 months after onset would be 1st eligible month for benefits.

Ahhhh....so that is why you said he could receive up to 80%. I just assumed since they have been paying at 60% and that is what the benefit said from his HR department, that is what they would continue to pay us(the diff after ss amount, to bring him whole to his normal 60%). So you are saying that once they get approved for ssdi, it could jump to 80% from 60%?.

I will look for the book from Liberty...had a tip from this forum to make sure I get a copy of their book...

Thank you, will let you know what I find out.

Yep. SSDI is supposed to reduce their exposure.

It'll be in the fine print though.

Also, issues such as COLAs will be a factor as well. ;)

I found the contract, and found nothing in there saying he was entitled to 80%.

LTD explained that whatever his ssdi amount is from the first check is what they will calculate what we owe for backpay. Then they pay the difference between his ssdi payment to make us whole at 60%. LTD goes down now that he gets his SSDI.

The 80% is a SS rule.

Well, that's unfortunate. If this was a benefit provided by the employer, I suppose you could have bought additional coverage. This means his standard of living is substantially reduced. :(

This was a benefit paid for by the employer. 60% was the only option they gave their employee's. It's the same at my work. I work at a huge company, very well known name, etc.

I am so glad we didn't buy a private policy in addition to pd one by employer. Each policy would get the back pay unless it was a non-integrated policy. Non integrated, they don't ask for reimbursement of back-pay, but those are usually very very expensive.

I will check the SS booklet for the 80% rule. Thanks for your help and discussion:)

I checked into 80% rule; it applies to workers comp. You can only make 80% of combined pay of ssdi and workers comp not to exceed 80%. If you have a LTD poliyc, it is whatever they write for, like 60%.