My work long term disability policy just approved me!

The approval is for two years for now as they have classified me as having Crohns and severe anxiety. Anxiety being a mental issues has a two yr cap in our policy. At this point I am not worried and will deal with it as I continue to find a treatment for crohn’s that will work.

I am required to apply for social security disability and they offer to help. I still can get benefits from work but I now pay with after tax dollars as work will bill me directly each month

Although I will have a 35% pay cut, I feel relieved that I don’t have to force myself back to work.

For those who need to go this route, th3 best advice I have is to make sure all your doctors are in agreement and their files are properly documented. I also was advised to write my own letter on top of the application explaining everything and why I could no longer do my job. Three of my doctors got calls from medical peers review drs. The gi review actually said I could work gi wise. So my GI wrote a passionate appeal letter on my behalf explaining how sick I was and how looking at test results only does not explain the whole story.

So it all worked out and I am so happy

M, very glad to read that you were approved for the LTD. I know that is a huge relief for you. The LTD company will have people that can assist you with the filing for SSD. They can be a true asset in helping you through the process.


Take care.

M, that is insane they ignored all of the crohns issues. When you were notified of the approval, did they state your LTD approval was made solely on anxiety/depression only? Regardless, your drs will continue to update them of your entire medical situation.

Do you know when you have to make the initial application for SSD? Some companies require it at the 6 month mark, it depends on the company. You are absolutely right about all drs have to be on the same page about disability, no matter if it's LTD or SSD. If the drs are behind the patient, it will not be good.


Paul asked if people can get SSD for crohns. The answer is yes, it all depends on the person's medical history, you must not be able to perform any type of job at all, not just where a person is currently employed or trained to do. Your drs have to be behind their patient 500% as to why they are disabled from doing any type of employment. You can check this out online.

19 years. It has been bad the past 9 yrs. I am 56 yrs old.

Susie, sorry if I was not clear. They approved me for disability for crohn’s and anxiety disorder. The mental health has 2 yr limit, but if the crohn’s is still causing me to be disabled, then they will reconsider it alone at the 2 yr mark. I must apply within 60 days of the approval they gave me, but they have given my name and file to their team that helps employees with all the SSD paperwork .

56 and it pays until 65 assuming your bd at age 65 so you have around 9 yrs on claim.

Suggest you consult with an erisa attorney to get an understanding of what you need to protect yourself. You should be able to pay them for an hour or two of their time. It will be money well spent, and you will have someone lined up in case they terminate you later.

The anxiety was added because of the mental/nervous part of your policy. 12 or 24 months max on that usually with group erisa plans. Don't be surprised if they try to steer your claim in that direction so they can terminate when you change over to any occupation. Assuming you are currently in own occ. Be prepared to demonstrate to them your claim is based on a physical disease crohns and the mental aspect is only a comorbid issue if it exists at all or if it is only the result of medication side effects such as anxiety from taking prednisone for example.

Suggest you write a letter and ask for the SPD. Summary Plan Description. That is the policy you have with legal jargon. It is very important and will list dates, and timeframes that you need to become familiar with.

Also when you communicate with them do so in writing and use certified mail return receipt. This is to protect you should they not play nice.

Learn how to strengthen your claim, and use your SPD as a guide it will spell out what they consider to be unable to perform your duties with reasonable continuity.

This is a very different ball game than social security. You are fortunate to have this policy.

There used to be a great forum out there. Diforums.com but the owner closed it down. I have not found another.

Thanks for the input. I do have the summary plan description and have read it extensively. Yes, my company plan would pay up until i am 65, assuming it continues to get approved by the LTD company. I am doing things (have been for 3-4 months now) like keeping a Daily diary of joint pains, number of BM, Fatique and BP levels. The interesting thing is the fact that both SSD and the company policy only want to know what has happened in the last year. They ignore all the other issues that compound the problem. The attorney said that this info comes out in the trial period in front of the judge. And usually is how most cases get approved. He did say that a pure crohn’s approval is one of the most difficult to get approval on its own since very few of us are the same. He said the SSD blue book is so tightly written tha few qualify. But having other long ter medical issues including multiple surgeries is extremely important during the appeals phase. He said, the paperwork will be filed, and it will be declined within 6 months ( he said he see about 90% decline on IBD) then they file an desk review, which reviews the initial claim for any errors int he decision and such, and that will be declined usually in 4- 6 weeks. Then we file for a hearing with a judge. In NC the wait period is 20 months for a hearing. He told me about a case he has with a young ladie who has ulcerated colitis. He is filing his third application for her. She has had 3 surgeries for UC and now weighs 85 lbs. she still did not meet the specific blue book criteria. During the two other trials, each of the judges remarks were something like, she can talk on the phone, so she could do some work. He said the judges do not understand urgency issues we dea with the fatigue and such. He wanted me to know how difficult it was.

He also said he understood if i needed my own legal attorney to work with him.

I have started the process. I am out of work for crohn’s and anxiety disorder. It is listed on the approval from Liberty Mutual. I re looked at what i have submitted and signed so far, and at this point, all i have is the initial app to disclose info to SSA and the appointment of a representative. I will have a follow up call with the attorney’s office in a few weeks to review everything. BUt their paperwork clearly states ...:since you have stopped working”. I agree that there is more to it and i will call them again. I brought this up to the attorney who first called and he stated the same.. I have had 5 major surgeries in 9 years including two resection surgeries so I agree it all needs to be listed now. The attorney did ask if any had lasting impacts from any of those.and i said yes, fatigue as well as on going heart issues. He asked about the brain tumor and i said none after my last seizure which was about 3 yrs ago. So, i am a bit confused. But i will take your advice and ask them again and insist that this all go into the record.

Yes, the letter from your gi are excellent. However, your crohns must be included on the SSD paperwork. If it weren't for crohns you would not be where you are today!! Be sure that this is included on the initial paperwork. Also, make yourself a separate folder for the SSD paperwork.

Several years ago a member was on SSD for a chronic condition. She had a lengthy fight getting approved. At some point she improved & SSD was stopped. In the meantime, she developed another condition that resulted from the original chronic condition. Because this 2nd condition was not listed on the original application she had to start all over filing for SSD!!

This is why I am telling you that crohns needs to be listed on the initial application. Providing medical records alone is not enough.

I am not trying to scare you, I just know SSD works regardless of what these people are telling you.