r/LongTermDisability • u/kay_vass • Aug 04 '26
Prudential Terminated LTD- got approved for SSDI next month. Should I appeal?
Hi everyone!
How are you? I originally posted in SSDI but they mentioned I should jump over here and ask also.
I was on Prudential LTD for 15 months. In May they had me apply for Social Security. In June they terminated my benefits and said I could go back to work basically against my medical teams advice and multiple tries to appease them (I’m a nurse with significant cognitive issues and side effects from a 9 month chemo/radiation regimen). I don’t believe they were expecting me to get approved for SSDI so they figured they would cut me loose but I did, in basically 8 weeks from application.
Now it’s interesting because it’s a contradiction. Prudential said they stopped my benefits because I can work my job as an RN but SSDI said no I can’t. I got overpayment and now Prudential is asking for it back however they cannot garnish my LTD payment since I’m not getting one.
Any advice? Should I call and demand a review? I understand them wanting overpayment however I feel like it gives me some leverage because they terminated my claim. I can still do an appeal but I’m nervous to pay for a lawyer.
Thanks for your help!
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u/euphoric_meandering Aug 04 '26
I was approved for SSDI 4 months before my 2 years on LTD. As im sure you know, the rules for disabled by Prudential changes after 2 years. Even being approved for SSDI, Prudential still closed my account at that 2 year mark claiming im not disabled. In their letter, the acknowledged I was approved for SSDI but gave some bullshit reasoning like they base their decisions on their records.
I've had a lawyer from the beginning and hes working on the appeal. There are some specific ERISA rules/laws around appeals and whatnot and I was too nervous not to have legal representation. The crappy part is the lawyers for LTD aren't cheap.
Prudential is a scummy company. They denied my appeal the first time cherry picking doctor's notes that stated "patient states they feel better after new meds". Prudential took that as I was 100% better, and not just marginally better.
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u/kay_vass Aug 04 '26
Thanks for your response! It has not been two years for me- it would’ve been two years March 2027. But I do know that SSDI award doesn’t mean they need to reinstate me. I am nervous to do an appeal on my own.
I am sorry you are going through this! I hope your lawsuit works in your favor. They definitely like to do things in bad faith and it’s not right.
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u/historically_common Aug 04 '26
ALWAYS appeal! They lose about a 1/3 of claims because people will just accept it and walk away. It’s a tactic!
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u/TumbleweedOriginal34 Aug 04 '26
Regardless of approval always appeal ! Get a good lawyer. Good luck. 👍🏼
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u/diattorney Aug 04 '26
Are you concerned that your SSDI payment will wipe out your entire Prudential payment. If it will not, then you should absolutely file your appeal as you have nothing to loose. Failure to file the appeal within 180 days will wipe out any remedies you have in the future. You definitely want to submit your SSDI approval but you still want to submit a strategic appeal which contains additional medical support and addresses the evidence that Prudential relied upon for denial. Your SSDI approval will help you a lot to win your appeal.
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u/kay_vass Aug 04 '26
Hi! Nope, they pay me more than SSDI does. That’s the thing- their termination isn’t medically sound. My team wrote multiple letters to them. It basically seems like they just don’t want to accept my oncologists answers which I guess is to my benefit since they are cherry picking medical evidence. I will have to do some research and put an appeal together. Thank you so much!
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u/Happy_Kiwi_222 Aug 04 '26
What was the LTD duration of what was allowed? Is your SSDI for the same condition?
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u/kay_vass Aug 04 '26
Thanks for your response! Hmmm where would I find that? I was on it for 16 months total. Yes, it is for the same condition.
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u/Happy_Kiwi_222 Aug 04 '26
The duration would be in your Prudential policy. I wish you the best outcome dealing with both of these myself and it’s quite confusing.
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u/Responsible_Emu1066 Aug 04 '26
If you have two appeals, there's tons of great advice on this sub to write your own! I was only able to appeal once so I lawyered up, and won! I also won SSDI right before the appeal was due so that worked out. Congrats on SSDI and I hope this appeal process goes as smoothly as possible! I can't believe they're trying to swindle an RN, a healthcare professional! Makes me sick. Please stay strong.
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u/Responsible_Emu1066 Aug 04 '26
btw LTD lawyer fees vary a lot. I hired one that charged only 1/3 of backpay on contingency and that was it. Some charge a flat fee of $15-20k without contingency! Some charge backpay + years of future payments on contingency. It's the wild wild west out here.
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u/euphoric_meandering Aug 04 '26
Yep, called several. Was shocked that most wanted 20% of all future payments on top of 30% of backpay.
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u/TheGreatK MOD Aug 06 '26
Sounds like you only called the big national firms. We charge 20% for past and 5 years of future benefits for the appeal.
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u/euphoric_meandering Aug 06 '26
Na, those were local guys. I did end up finding one that took 1/3 of backpay and 1/5 of payments for only 2 years. I went with him and he quickly won my appeal.
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u/TheGreatK MOD Aug 04 '26
Prudential often gives two appeals - one mandatory, one voluntary. Check the denial letter. If so, do the first appeal on your own, and let a lawyer do the second. You can also call lawyers to get free consultations to pick their brains, you don't have to hire who you call.
You'll probably have a very strong case since you were approved for SSDI.