Short Term Disability Question

I could be wrong but I don't think you have to worry too much with short-term disability as long as your doctor supports it. It's usually the long-term where they look to deny, deny, deny.

If you want to be safe I guess it would be best to complete the form keeping in mind the same principles as with long-term. In addition to listing symptoms make sure you also list limitations.

Good luck.

RD, That's a good point. Social Security does not list Lyme Disease as one of the many conditions covered but they are nevertheless suppose to base their decision on severity of symptoms and limitations regardless of the name of the disese or diagnosis. It's just so typical that LD patients are discriminated against.

I think an entirely different set of rules apply with short-term disability but I'm not sure what those rules are. I've been fortunate enough never to have trouble getting short-term.

Cmacaran, Just a thought but would your doctor be willing to list CFS and Fibro in addition to LD. Many doctors believe CFS and Fibro are caused by Lyme Diseae and the symptoms are basically the same in many cases. I was granted long-term disability and ssdi under CFS and Fibo before I even received the LD diagnosis.

Another suggestion for anyone needing to apply for ssdi who has severe depression, anxiety, etc. Mental illnesses are covered under ssdi so this should be a consideration if you are also suffering from this end of the spectrum of symptoms. I know of a few people (not lymies) who IMHO are in no way entitled to benefits and managed to get approved using this angle. Don't even get me started on that topic. Of course, for those of us who suffer with LD it's not an angle and just a sorry fact of life for us.

Do not however use any form of mental illness as a primary diagnosis with long-term disability or private insurance. Most do not cover it and if they do it's only for a very limited period of time. In cases like this, it's important that any depression or anxiety experienced from Lyme be listed as a secondary diagnosis and not primary.

The important thing to remember is to submit the facts and tell the truth but present it all in a way that fits the guidelines in place for getting the claim approved, whether it be ssdi, ltd or std.

I hope I did not manage to confuse anyone with all of this.

It's all about the symptoms. If your doctor will document the conditions that would keep you from doing your existing job, you have a chance. SSDI also can recommend you for job counseling to find a job you can do with your "ailments."

Your age is a factor also


But if you have too many things that would disqualify you from doing your existing or new job, then you may qualify.

Chances are you will be denied, then you appeal. They deny almost everyone the first time.

A SSDI lawyer is very helpful, too. Yes, they take their cut but the won't take the case unless they feel they can win it for you.

And welcome to our community!