What we are eating and what's eating us.Wednesday.

Hello Miss Linda

My job is working for a very large diability carrier and I handle long term disability claims. I do not know what your particular policy says but I can tell you that just because you are approved for SSDI is no guarentee you will be approved for benefits on your LTD policy so don't let them feed you that line of crap. Even if you are initially approved for ltd benefits you have to meet certain criteria to continue receiving benefit over the long term. But maybe you know all this already.

Thanks Miss Barb,my STD is through my job,my LTD is a personal insurance plan I bought almost 7 years ago. SSDI,will not approve me because I work,and have income,I do not think the government will ever give me money until I am retirement age.
I just have to put my best foot forward,as I can go no further, My job has basically told me this is my last chance and if I were to walk back in there again and have to leave,I would be fired.
I am making the b est choice I can,and I do have 2 chronic conditions and 4 or 5 more. Workabilty is helping me,they are a part of Wells  also,as long as my doctor and tests prove what is true I should be ok.
The truth is,I am honesty ill and have been out of work for 2 years in the 7 years I have been with them.
I keep trying,now I have gotten to the point that I can be standing straight up and fall over side ways,I have compressed nerves  on the left side of my brain and I can not stand 3 minutes on my own without having sharp pains shooting from my knee up to my hip.
I can sit perfectly still and still hurt,I also have painful muscle spasms on the right side of my face that disable me from being able to talk,nor even wash my face without pain. Trigeminal nueralgia. I need at the very least 1 surgery,but probably 3.
My insurance is not from the government,I have to try for I can not sustain working.Add to this the new thing of passing out,I was taken to ER,could remember nothing not even the president.
I have in writting from Wells Fargo that I will not be terminated should I ever be able to return to work.
That is as good as it gets for now. The 2nd time I passed out I was on my way up to bed and awakened 6:30 am.,,rug burns,scratched knees...scary.
Barb I appreciate all input,but I can no longer live in fear.nor take a chance of losing my job,and if Wells says I am not fit to do my job physically that would make me disqualified even for unemployment.
I will not live in fear.I am truly not alright and I keep trying.
Thank you Barb,may I call you friend?

Trigeminal Neuralgia ... I manage an ltd claim for someone who has that very condition. She had gamma knife surgery but did not get much relief  from it. Her doctor is trying to get her enrolled in a study testing a new treatment. I don't have much information on it right now but the next time I talk to her I'll find out more about it. Your doctor should know about any studies currently being done for this condition.  

I have many many claims where the claimant is waiting for approval from ssdi. I believe ss requires 2 years of disability before they will approve you for benefits. I don't handle that end of it but I think that is the case.  I am notified by our ss dept when one of my claimants is approved so we can deduct the ssdi payment from the ltd benefit.   I don't understand why they make people wait that long. You practically have to be independently wealthy to survive while waiting to be approved. It is difficult talking to these people as some of them are so desperate.  Try getting some help from the state if you go on short term disability. You might be able to get food stamps or help with your rent if your income is low enough.

You are right when you say as long as your doctor verifies your disability AND there is supporting proof, such as mri's, ct scans, xrays, etc., then you shouldn't have a problem getting approved for benefits.  

I would be happy to have you call me a friend, I hope you will let me do the same.

Hiya Miss Barb,all the things you have named are the reasons I have waited so long and am actually in worse condition.As you know,the trigeminal neuralgia comes and goes,so I have not had a bad flare up in a long time. My legs are very bad though,and hip.
I feel blessed to work for a large company that offere its' on std through met life. I am also blessed to have had the fore sight to purchase my own ltd,on going. SS told me very long ago I am not eligible for benefits,and SSDI told me last week I am working and not eligible. You are right,I was afraid I would be living in the streets waiting for them. God made a way for me,through my job I will get 7 weeks full pay on std,then 65 percent for a number of weeks,maybe 14,not sure,then that's when LTD starts,and I am ready for the fight. Everything I have is documented,and I do not believe SSDI will ever give me money.
I do know my insurance policy,and pay they will,if I still need them.
Let us not forget that through the grace of God,I still have a job,my insurance and such. Money is gonna be tight,but I will be ok.
The reality is if I do not get fixed I will have no job. I am so grateful my job gave me this last chance, along with documentation that I will not be terminated. I still want to work,I just need some fixing....smile.
All things considered,I am in a pretty good place,but of course still afraid. What do you think? I think I am more lucky than most.
Thanks...smile.

Sounds like God is providing what you need, which is what he promised us.  You are a smart lady and it sounds like you will not be letting anyone pull the wool over your eyes so to speak.  If it ever bcomes necessary, don't forget about your state vocational rehab people.  They can do wonderful things for people.  I have lots of the younger people (meaning under 62) who take advantage of it.  You will be fine. Your heart is in the right place.

You rock Barb!!! I appreciate you very much,and any feedback you give,I am grateful for.
Your heart is also in the right place.
Hugs!