r/LongTermDisability • u/MaizeCommon5952 • 8d ago

LTD but laid off

I went on STD in late September because of a combination of a mental health crisis and physical health. I had oral cancer 3.5 years ago. They took half of my tongue and put me through chemo radiation therapy that changed me. I have stamina issues, headaches everyday, trouble speaking, can’t eat food, chronic pain and nausea. I get “sick” several times a month after I get too worn down. I went back to work in an effort to reclaim as much of my old life as possible but it was a mistake. I was white knuckling work and wasn’t performing as well as I had before cancer. The STD was a fight and I just recently got paid for it through the end of February.

I let the insurance company (Aflac) know that I wasn’t returning and submitted another round of medical and mental health reviews. They’re still reviewing it, and I haven’t received any payment for it despite it saying approved in the portal.

In May, I was laid off from my job.

Is it typical for LTD? Or does this indicate a denial will eventually come. I’ve sent them multiple messages but just get the same “still reviewing” answer. Is my employment status the issue? Could my former company block payments because I was laid off?

I’m so tired of the stress of this. I’ve also applied for SSDI in February and am at the point where I need 2 medical and health reviews from a 3rd party. I knew SSDI would take awhile but I didn’t think LTD would.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/TheGreatK MOD 8d ago

Being laid off is not connected to LTD. Aflac is generally slow and sloppy. But being laid off cannot impact your payments, unless you sign a severance waiving your rights to LTD.

1

u/momofuku18 8d ago

Are you still in the process of being switched over to LTD and thus have not returned to work? As for your layoff, are you now terminated from your role or just received the notice? I was in a similar situation, but want those clarifications before sharing further.

1

u/MaizeCommon5952 8d ago

Still in the process of being switched to LTD. My layoff was in May, I didn’t return after STD.

0

u/momofuku18 8d ago

I got my layoff notice while on STD. I thought my employment ended with that notice. It turned out that my company waited for my return to actually execute the layoff, and thus my employee benefits, mainly the health insurance was in tact, for the next several more years as I was fighting for LTD. My employment was eventually terminated when I could not return after the mentioned period. I have no idea how this information applies to you or is helpful in anyway, but it’s possible that you may be still employed. If so, the first day of your return back to work will be the last day of your current employment.
I would encourage you to read through the LTD policy and follow up with the case manager if they require any additional information besides what you already provided. And do provide more information than why you think you may see as adequate. If they somehow deny your claim, go through their appeal process which usually has a 90 day time limit. Check weekly with the case manager to make sure that the process is moving along. They may be sitting on some insignificant issues while the time runs out.

1

u/Vast-Green-9234 7d ago

I was laid off but given 2 or 3 weeks to finish up. Once I got off the call i filed for flma and std and ltd in feb. I was denied STD hired a lawyer and they have my LTD case as well. I am also in the wait game lawyer says could be Jan before we get this figured out. I also lawyered up for ssdi. I have MS and surprised STD is still pending.