Long term disability insurance companies provide a wider scope of options and benefits for bigger investors and policyholders, who plan to work together with the company to achieve their financial goals and objectives. By having long term protection, clients will be able to focus more on investing on themselves, after being assured that their businesses or professions are in good stable condition for the longest period of time.

One example of a long term disability insurance plan is a non-taxable monthly income, which companies provide until the client is sixty five years old. This is probably the most common long term disability insurance availed of by policyholders. However, different rules and policies apply if the client has total disability at age sixty or above.

Income benefits received from long term disability insurance companies are based on the employee’s salary after maximum short term insurance has expired. On most instances, employees are enrolled in a short term disability insurance plan promoted by their company; and this plan provides financial benefits and secures a percentage income for the employee during times of disability.

When the duration of the short term policy expires, the long term disability plan comes in and continues the benefit and income provision. These income benefits may be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually adjusted, based on the percentage change in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

A Monthly Annuity Premium Benefit can also be opted for by individuals, to provide for a monthly contribution of an amount equal to a percentage of the person’s monthly income, set by the company upon issuance of the quote.

There is also what you call a Survivor Income Benefit, which immediately reimburses the client’s family a month after death. The benefit is equal to the policyholder’s last monthly salary multiplied by an amount set by the insurance company. It requires that the policyholder must have been disabled for at least twelve months prior to death or survived by another dependent, like an underage wife or a full-time student son.

Long term disability insurance companies always innovate to maintain quality service and provide maximum benefits to their investors. Insurance companies have different sectors, which provide specifically for various client needs of supplemental help, health and life insurance, disability, mental incapacitation, and family life. It is important to know some aspects about the company you are investing in to ensure that it can provide for your long term financial insurance objectives and goals.

The company profile is the identity of long term disability insurance companies. It defines the reputation and reliability of the company to provide good products and quality services, according to the needs of policyholders and at the exact time they need it. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what your insurance company is trying to achieve for its own growth and especially for yours as a client.

Check the company’s business descriptions to determine whether the variety of products and services offered coincide with your professional or business requirements. Mutual funds, annuities, real estate or retail security brokerage, asset management, and banking and trust services are just some of the descriptions available; so assess whether a certain long term disability insurance company can best accommodate you and your very own business description.

Choosing the specific title will trigger the sectors that the insurance company has to assist you with in your period of disability. These sectors will then operate and ensure the financial security of your business evocative to the sectors’ line of expertise.

By: David Wilkenson

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Suffering from an injury or illness that causes you to have a long-term disability can seem like a disheartening catch-22: you need money to pay for your medical bills so you can heal, yet you must work in order to get the money to pay the medical bills. To help keep you out of this terrible situation, the Social Security Administration offers aid to those who can prove that they indeed have a long-term disability.

The Social Security Administration, or SSA, provides two types of disability coverage. First, Social Security disability insurance, or SSDI, can help provide for you as well as sometimes your dependents after you are injured. Secondly, supplemental security income, or SSI, takes into account your financial status and gives aid accordingly.

If you believe that you have an ailment that prevents you from working, you will have to prove that you are eligible for SSDI or SSI. Although the SSA provides as much help as possible, they are still very strict on approving people to receive long-term disability benefits. One important aspect of your application is the medical evidence showing that you are disabled.

In putting together your case, the SSA requires certain types of medical evidence. This evidentiary information must be provided by a doctor who either evaluated or treated you after your accident, preferably the latter. This is because a physician who was in charge of treating your injury or illness likely spent more time evaluating the overall effects on your body and the extent to which it could be healed.

Medical and osteopathic doctors, as well as optometrists, psychologists, and podiatrists must all be properly licensed in order to count as a source of evidence in your case. Additionally, psychologists can be certified, and speech pathologists must be appropriately licensed or certified as well.

From these sources, the SSA will ask for a variety of information. Although you are responsible for providing this medical information, the SSA can help you gather the reports with your permission. The reports that the SSA looks for include:

Medical history
Clinical and laboratory findings
Diagnosis
Prescribed treatment plan
Prognosis
The activities that you can still perform despite the injury or illness

Sometimes, no matter how detailed the medical information you provide and the proof that you have of your disability, the SSA may decide to deny your claim. If you have been denied long-term disability coverage and plan on filing for an appeal, you should enlist the help of an experienced long-term disability attorney to help you with your case.

For more information, contact a long-term disability lawyer from the Law Office of Charles D Hankey, P.C., today.

By: Joseph Devine

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When a person is disabled or is so sick that he or she may not be in a position to work, he or she is entitled to disability payment. This payment is also useful in enabling one to cater for his or her medical expenses. As much as this may look impossible, disability payment has in many cases been denied to the victims in what may make the victims suffer more.

Though the victim may feel that this payment would be very useful to him or her, the officials may still refuse the payment. This would call for the services of a social security disability lawyer. These lawyers ensure that the involved individuals will receive the benefits they deserve and need. Filling for the Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance may be very challenging and follow a very complex process.

Disability lawyer makes filings for one’s disability claim in the easiest way possible and at the same time making sure that one receives the amount that he or she is entitled. It is very stressful for a layman to deal with the much work and paperwork that is involved in the filling of a security claim. The main reason for the paperwork is because the administration of the s. security works tirelessly to ensure that there are no fraud cases when dealing with these claims. This has made it to make the regulations of making the filing of disability claim very strict.

However, without the help of a disability lawyer, it has become very common for an individual with a genuine disability case to be denied the benefits, sometimes because of an error in clerical work when preparing the paperwork. officials are so strict that the victim’s claim may be dismissed because he or she has filled the form incorrectly or has misplaced one. The social security disability lawyer is useful in such an instance as he is an expert and also experienced; he or she may be dealing with such cases frequently and thus have an eye for any loop holes that may show up during the process of filling in the forms.

Many people make filings with the s. security and thus its work load is heavy. It is possible for the case of one claimant to take as many as two years before he or she is awarded his or her benefits. The social security lawyer ensures that the process of getting the benefits is made as shorter and efficient as possible. They advice the clients to state their immediate needs; for example if they are facing an eviction from their landlords.

The social security disability lawyers will then design a “Dire Need Request” so that the case can be heard as soon as possible. When choosing a social security disability lawyer, it is important for one to settle on lawyers that have experience on the issue as this enables them to evaluate the case, both accurately and effectively. Many of these lawyers design a specific practice so that they can deal with the officers involved in social security effectively.

By: Rafi Michael

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Non-Cancellable & Guaranteed Renewable

This is the most comprehensive level of renewability possible for a consumer. Most of the major individual DI carriers do offer a policy that is “Non-Can”. There is a big difference between a Non-Can policy and a policy that is just Guaranteed Renewable, so make sure you understand which renewability feature your policy has before you make a decision.

A Non-Cancellable disability insurance policy means the premium schedule will never change. If you have a policy with a level premium payment schedule, the price you pay for your policy today will be the same 30 years from now. The first major benefit of a Non-Can policy is the premiums will never change unless you buy more coverage in the future. The benefit amount and benefit provisions will also never change under a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable disability insurance policy.

Guaranteed Renewable

A “GR” policy does not offer your premiums the security level you think. The insurance company can raise rates on a GA policy by state, occupational class, or policy year. Carriers have increased rates in the past with GR disability insurance policies, and odds are it will happen again. A GR policy is going to be about 20% less expensive than a DI policy that is Non-Can, however to know that there is no way an insurance carrier can raise me out of my policy is well worth the guarantees. Think about the possibility of being 57 years old and getting a 100% rate increase because the company you bought a policy from has really bad experience in your home state, or occupation. Most people purchase individual disability insurance to protect their family and their income, a guaranteed renewable only policy may be a bit cheaper, but you run a risk of seeing a big rate increase at the worst time with one.

Conditionally Renewable

You will usually only see this with association disability insurance policies. There is no guarantee the rates will remain the same, and they can be raised as much as the insurance company wants anytime. Many of the major medical and dental association plans are conditionally renewable, and have all had several rate increases during the past twenty years.

By: Steven Crawford

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Social Security, to most people, means old age and retirement benefits. However, Social security pays other benefits, one of which is disability.

The procedure for collecting disability benefits can be long and confusing. There are five stages to the process. The first two can easily be performed by the claimant, who is the person seeking disability benefits. The remaining three stages are best handled by an attorney.

The Social security Act defines disability as “the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” Medical evidence must be presented by the claimant to support the existence of a disabling condition. The Social Security Administration will give consideration to the combined effects of a claimant’s impairments, including pain.

To begin the process you will need a statement from your doctor indicating that you are disabled in accordance with the above definition. You are then ready to proceed to the first stage: Application. You can obtain an application by writing or calling any Social Security office. Their address and phone number are in the blue pages of your phone book under United States Government, Health & Human Services. Supporting medical records should be attached to your application. Should the Social Security Administration turn down your application for benefits, then the next stage is Reconsideration. That form, likewise, may be obtained from Social Security. It basically asks why you believe you should have been granted benefits.

If you are turned down at the Reconsideration stage, then go on to stage three, which is the process of requesting a Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This will normally be the only “hearing” in the entire process. All subsequent appeals are based on this hearing. Therefore, it is very important to get all the evidence in your favor “on the record”. For this reason, it is advisable to have an attorney at this and all subsequent stages. At the hearing you will testify and explain why your medical problems prevent you from working.

Should the Administrative Law Judge deny you benefits, you next apply for Appeals Council Review by the Social Security Administration. This is basically the same as the Reconsideration stage. Should they deny you benefits, go to the final stage, the Court system. You actually sue the Department of Health & Human Services in Federal Court for your benefits.

By law, no attorney’s fees may be paid until the end of the case. The fee must be approved by the Social Security Administration and the Federal Court. The attorney’s fees are deducted from the claimant’s past due benefits, so there are usually no out of pocket expenses.

Although this is a lengthy process, you should not give up your disability benefits if you are entitled to them. Do not hesitate to contact an attorney or the Social Security Administration for information about Social Security Benefits.

By: Steven Scheinin

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It is all too often that I hear Federal Government employees speaking of how great their benefits are because they work for the Federal Government. In some ways they are correct – the Federal government does provide high quality benefits for its employees and in most cases they are very well taken care of. In regard to their group Long-Term Disability insurance however, the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) program falls short of their elite reputation. 

Traditionally, group Disability insurance will cover 60% of a person’s salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 – $10,000. If the employer pays the premiums, benefits are received on a taxable basis and will be considered ordinary income. With benefits being taxable, even someone who has group coverage like this can experience a severe shortage of income if they become disabled. When 60% of your salary is provided on a taxable basis, it is the equivalence of having 45-50% coverage. I think it is fair to say that most people cannot survive on 45-50% of their regular income. 

The FERS program takes this shortage of coverage even further. It works very similarly in that 60% of your annual income is covered, but only for the first 12 months of a disability claim. After the first 12 months, your benefits will drop to 40% of your income. Once again, I believe it is fair to state that most people cannot survive on 40% of their regular income.

There are many details associated with the FERS Disability insurance program and as a Federal employee you should take the time to fully understand them. If you are serious about protecting your income and the future of your loved ones, you need to understand the coverage you have so that you can obtain an individual policy to cover the gap in your coverage. You can learn more about the specifics of the FERS Disability program by visiting Disability Insurance Resources  and selecting “Disability Insurance for Federal Employees”.

By: Michael Relvas

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Both injuries and illnesses can turn into long term disabilities if they prevent you from working for at least a year or they are supposed to end in your death. To help you in this treacherous time, the Social Security Administration, or SSA, offers two types of disability coverage that provides for your basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing at the very least.

However, in order to receive the benefits that you need, you must go through an application process with the SSA to prove that your injury or illness is truly a long term disability. During this time, the SSA will research your condition to see if it actually prevents you from working. They will ask a number of questions, but one very important part of the application process is the examination of your medical records.

When you apply for long term disability coverage, the SSA wants to see any and all medical records that relate to your problem, as well as information from your doctor as per your limitations due to your ailment. Sometimes, the medical records that the SSA gets from your doctor are sufficient for proving or disproving your case. On the other hand, the people in charge of your case may decide that your records do not give enough information to make a decision on your case.

In these cases, the SSA will call for a consultative examination, or CE. The Social Security Administration prefers that your treating doctor performs your CE if he or she has the expertise and equipment to complete the additional tests or examinations required by the SSA. However, sometimes your doctor may not meet these requirements or may not be willing to perform the CE. In these cases, the SSA will look to another doctor to perform the examination.

In looking for another physician, psychologist, or other health professional to perform your CE, the SSA requires the person to be licensed to practice in that state, as well as have the necessary training to perform the extra exam or test. Any people that help in the CE, such as nurses or x-ray technicians, must also be licensed and trained to perform the task that they will aid with in the examination. According to the SSA, if your doctor cannot perform the CE, the other physician will be chosen based on availability, location in regards to your home, and skills necessary for the tests and exam.

If you need help in applying for long term disability, or if you are trying to appeal the Social Security Administration’s decision, you should contact a long term disability lawyer from the Charles D Hankey Law Office, P.C., today.

By: Joseph Devine

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Criminal Lawyers

It is understandable that you would find completing several forms during the process of your social security disability claim as one of its most confusing aspects. The first thing you may even question yourself while you complete these forms is:

“Will the SSA take the time to look at the forms you have completed and filed?”

“Can these forms become one of the deciding factors in winning or losing your disability claim?”

However, no matter your assumptions that the way you have completed your form may become the main cause for the decision on your claim, you need to think again. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and/or Administrative law judges do not usually base their approval or denial of a claim on the forms you have completed.

They usually base their decisions based on compelling and objective evidences like medical and health records, and/or treatment doctor’s opinions concerning your inability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA).

However, there are times when some innocent statement indicated by the claimant in one of the forms filed as the main evidence that the SSA or judge used in denying his/her claim.

Remember that as claimant you have two kinds of inherent problem:

- your unawareness to the things that you need to prove for you to win your disability claim

- Your consistent downplaying of your medical and health problems’ seriousness to all those present that may be listening.

While you are aware that you are applying for disability claims, therefore you have to prove that you are unable to perform substantial work, you still tend to understate the severity of your condition, symptoms and the limitations you are experiencing. Next thing you know, your chance of being approved of disability benefits is killed because of your false statements.

Moreover, these false statements usually begin upon your completing of the disability forms and submitting them to the SSA.

Here are the pointers in significantly reducing your unawareness in making mistakes all over the social security disability claim forms you are filling up:

1. Avoid writing too long narrations – remember, “Less words, few mistakes.” There are spaces provided for your answers. Limit your answers in these given spaces and answer the questions directly. Avoid writing between the margins or attach additional papers.

2. Try to think that you are in a bad mood while you are answering the questions provided – the key is to indicate and prove that you are unable to perform a regular work activity level on a continuous level.

You can have an accurate assessment of the activity level you are able to perform if you answer the questions as if you are experiencing a bad day, since who can, indeed perform well if they are in a bad day?

3. Concentrate on the duration, frequency and the severity of your disability symptoms and work limitations – take care to mention every diagnosis that have even a small bit of an impact on your inability to perform your work and any other kind of work for that matter.

Nevertheless, most significantly do not forget to mention these three important issues connected to your disability, which will mainly, provide the reasons for your limitation to work and function, daily.

4. Control and suppress your perfectionist habits – make sure that you do not indicate your proficiency and eloquence in filling up the disability forms. The point is to indicate the seriousness of your condition.

Possibly, you may already be having memory and concentration problems and having problems with your motor and coordination skills. Thus, make sure that the condition you indicated in the medical report must show in the way you accomplished your forms.

5. Make sure that you indicate or leave evidence in the forms, of some psychological issues, even if they play just a small part in your inability to continue working.

If you are not confident of the way you have completed your disability claim forms, make sure you have it double-checked by an experienced social security disability lawyer or advocate.

By: Carla C. Ballatan

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One day, I once got into an accident at work which rendered me disabled. I was compensated for the accident that I got into and I was somehow left without work since it was the obvious reason that I got disabled. At first I thought the compensation was good enough but later on I realized that it was not really enough.

Good thing a buddy of mine, who knows someone who had the same problem, introduced me to a system that would assist me to be paid out fully with the aid of disability insurance attorney. This disability lawyer said she might help me considering the claims I will get after i was rendered disabled by the accident.

It was amazing because I got even more money. Certainly, it’s great to have a good disability insurance attorney to assist you with these situations. In the beginning I thought it would be very complicated, and maybe not even worth the effort. I was wrong. At first, I thought that I could make it on my own. Never did I think that it was going to be that hard. That it why at first I settled for the compensation which the company gave me. So it was until I discovered disability lawyers.

A disability insurance attorney can help you quickly and efficiently. When you see how they do it, you will know that it will much more likely win you the case and get you paid well. Now, this is what everyone who gets disabled needs. When these things happen, I firmly suggest you get the services of a disability lawyer. You simply need to get the disability lawyer whom you can rely on. Take a quick look at the credentials and experience of the lawyer before you hire them.

Again, it always pays to get a good and expert disability lawyer. You do not want to settle for something less. So you go get a disability lawyer who would help you all throughout the process of winning your insurance claims over your disability. Do not be afraid to put your trust with a disability insurance attorney. I have put my trust in it once and it helped me a lot. I am pretty sure that it will help you too.

By: Ben Newman

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SSDI and SSI are two disability programs managed by the SSA (the Social Security Administration). Both programs require you to prove that you are “disabled” – that is, that you are unable to perform the requirements of competitive work because of a medical or mental health problem that has lasted or is expected to last 12 consecutive months or longer. The main difference between the two programs is with SSDI you must have a certain amount of hours (credits) worked to qualify for the program. If you do not meet the requirements for SSDI you may qualify for SSI, in which case you have a weak working history or none at all.

SSDI (Social Security Disability)

In order to qualify for the SSDI program, you must have a work history that documents employment from which Social Security taxes were withheld. In general, if you have worked for five out of the past ten years, you will qualify. Social Security disability does not look at lifetime earnings. This means that a person who worked for twenty years back in the 1960’s and 1970’s but who has not worked in the last ten to fifteen years will most likely not be “insured” for SSDI benefits.

Social Security allows you to earn up to four work “credits” each year. Eligibility for SSDI requires 20 credits within the 10 years prior to the date you became disabled. Another way to look at this – if you have worked for at least five out of the ten years prior to becoming disabled, you will qualify.

You earn a credit for approximately every $1,000 of gross income earned. If, for example you earned $5,000 in 2008, you will have earned four credits for calendar year 2008. If you earned $100,000 in 2008, you still get only four credits for calendar year 2008. Your benefit amount will be higher if you paid more into the system but you can only earn four credits for any one calendar year.

If you worked for cash and your income was not reported to SSA, you will not get any credits.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income):

SSI is a disability program for low income individuals. The disability requirements (proving that you cannot perform the demands of any competitive employment) are the same as the disability requirements of SSDI. The difference – SSI does not consider your earnings history. You can qualify for SSI if you have worked only a little or even if you have never worked.

SSI looks at household income to determine eligibility. If you have never worked but your spouse works and earns even a minimum wage salary, you most likely will not qualify because your household income will be too high. Similarly, you can be disqualified from SSI if you own certain assets.

A qualified Social Security attorney can advise you if your income and/or assets take you out of SSI eligibility.

By: Jonathan Ginsberg

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