Just wondering if anyone has been approached by a third party Social Security Disability Advocate along the way.. I got mail from GENEX to help me apply for it and they are at my service and will be paid for by my LTD, Unum.
Am I better off trying to navigate SSD myself? Also does it mean the advocates are eating into what I might get from my LTD $$s? I am leery because the WC experience has me suspicious of any benefit providers...

If you are successful in a claim for SSD and are awarded back benefits, Unum will make you pay back what they paid you. This is why they encourage you to apply. It is to get their money back. Unum contracts Genex to help them do this. Nobody is your friend in this deal.

No matter who represents you in a claim for SSD, be it an attorney, an advocate, Genex, etc., their fee will come out of your past due benefits. Don't let them tell you otherwise.

If you try to get benefits on your own and are successful, Unum will still want the $$ back that they paid you.

Being that you are going to pay someone regardless, I would hire an attorney who specializes in SSD claims.

I wish you luck.

HI,In La we have Allsap. They are about the same thing.Friends telll me kthey do a pretty good job and cost slightly less than an attorney. However, most attornys tell you her to try yourself the first time and then they will pick it up on the appeal. Who knows you may get lucky and get approved the first time. Whatever you do, do not apply on line or on the telephone. Make an appointment and apply in person. If you need blank forms, please contact me as you can not down load the forms from the site and the ss will not mail forms to you. Bob

With my LTD plan- I am elligible for, at the most- $500 per month and, the least $100. I would not be able to live on this so I see the addition of SSDI and SSA as a good thing. I understand that the amount of my LTD will go down if/ when awarded SS. I know that I would have to pay Unum back the amount of overlapped benefits.

At this moment I don't see this as a bad thing- could anyone elaborate a bit more to help me understand. When Carolina said, ....Is that true? All the paperwork I've gotten says its a service that my LTD pays for but in truth do I end up paying for it?

Also- how does Social Security determine the amount you get? I have no idea!!! I'd like to be able to forecast what sort of income I would get. Is it possible that the maximum from LTD, $500, is my best offer and that I shouldn't even try to get SSDI/SSA ?

Thank you very much for the tip!! Can you tell me why applying in person is better? I'm curious and want to learn

Hi,
I am new around here & not sure how to do the quote thing

Carolina is correct. LTD will offset anything that you get from SSDI. That is Why they want you to get SSDI benifits so LTD will not have to pay you so much.
You will have to pay back if there is an overpayment.
The help that they are giving you is pretty good and really no reason to hire an attorney as you will have to pay attorney and pay back LTD any overpayment

If your LTD has deemed you disabled enough for them to Qualify you for LTD you are in pretty good shape. It is harder to get LTD benefits. The fact that they want to help is a Good Thing because they want you to get SSDI so they don't have to pay you as much. It could take 2 years or longer. The good news is that your LTD will continue to pay you whether SSDI pays or Not. That's where the overpayment comes from - LTD paying you then you get approved for SSDI. SSDI pays you retroactive from your disability date.

Most important is that you have your docs on board and are willing to work with you in getting on disability. Have lots of documentation which you must have to get LTD or SSDI. Let LTD work for you as they will make sure all forms are filled out properly - They want the SSDI Money!!

Best Wishes,
DD~

I just went through all the same procedures you mentioned. I was denied twice by SSDI, but in the meantime my LTD and STD covered me. When I was denied the second appeal through SSDI, my LTD provider suggested an SSA advocate. I can honestly say I am very glad I did. Not only did they do all the paperwork for my hearing, they got me a SSDI approval before the hearing even happened. I did not have to wait the 9 months to one year like the hearing office told me. I applied for SSDI hearing in October 07 and have my money in April 08. That may seem long, but they originally told me at least next October or even later.

Yes, I have to pay back the LTD, but they took the fees from the advocate off of the amount I had to repay, so no loss there. I had $10500 in back pay coming and they charged me $2350. But, like I said I did not actually have to pay.

Good Luck!!!

My LTD provider supplied the SS advocate/service and I found it to be such a relief that I did not have to pay an attorney. They had my SS on the second try after one denial. I hardly had to lift a finger . . .and they were pleasant to deal with as well. Just read everything and ask questions and you should be fine. Why pay an attorney if your company's LTD plan will supply your help?

Now what scares me its that I lose my LTD at 65, less than ten years from now. . . just when I will REALLY need the extra income. I doubt that SS will help. . . as the benefit will likely be in jeopardy by then.