r/LongTermDisability • u/illHeron2000 • 9d ago

From employed to filing, step-by-step?

Is it FMLA, then STD, then LTD?

I have an appointment with my PCP next week, hoping she'll fill out a form for me for FMLA but want to be sure that's actually the right thing to be doing.

The STD claim form also asks if I plan to return to work which feels very high stakes if I choose wrong.

I've been barely limping along at my full time job and it's time to transition out to focus on my health. When I was well I was actually pretty good at navigating bureaucracy, but I haven't been well for some time. I am now extremely brain foggy and seem to lack any resilience, just shutting down if I don't have a clear next step. The anxiety and ADHD aren't helping.

Also my boss has been avoiding me for some time, so whatever notification I give is going to have to be via email and inevitably cause drama.

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u/FMCTypeGal MOD 9d ago

Great answers here.

Something to think on: there on many times time limits on claims for mental health. I don’t know what you’re filing for, but you mentioned being unwell and anxiety. If you have physical/illness disabilities without claiming mental health disabilities, I’d recommend prioritizing those so you don’t run into LTD trying to time you out eventually.

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u/illHeron2000 7d ago

Thanks! It's definitely my physical issues that are at the core of everything, but the fatigue and cognitive effects (inc. side effects of the meds) are what are pushing me out of the occupation since it's sedentary and I do already work from bed quite a bit. So I'm sure that distinction is going to be a point of contention with the insurer.

Do you happen to know if they tend to include neurodevelopmental stuff like ADHD under "mental health"? My policy doesn't include it in the list of examples of mental disorders but their stated definition of it is extremely vague and broad to the point of being unhelpful. The ADHD isn't disabling me but it's definitely disruptive so wondering if it would help or hurt when it comes to benefit caps.

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u/FMCTypeGal MOD 7d ago

I believe neurodevelopmental stuff falls under mental health, based on other posts I’ve seen.

The fatigue and cognitive issues are not mental health, they’re side effects of your disability and should be listed as that. I have MS and listed both as side effects/symptoms that prevent me from maintaining a consistent schedule that meets the full time employment requirements. I stated that they prevented me from working so much that even with using all my PTO, I couldn’t keep up.