How Hard Is It To Get Long-Term Disability Benefits In Florida?

Long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide a lifeline for you and your family if injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions keep you from working. However, if you are struggling with your health and financial concerns, you may have heard about how long and complicated the process of getting LTD benefits is.

Unfortunately, this is frequently the case, and why it is important to get legal help. Our Jacksonville long-term disability lawyer explains common difficulties you will likely encounter and timelines for filing a claim.

Are You Eligible For Florida Long-Term Disability Benefits?

If you suffer long-term disabilities that prevent you from working for a year or longer, you may be eligible for benefits through employer-provided long-term disability insurance, a privately purchased policy, or the Social Security Administration (SSA). The first step is determining eligibility.

The Social Security Administration has eligibility guidelines posted on its website. If dealing with employer-provided coverage, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires your employer to provide copies of all insurance-related documents free of charge and at your request. With private insurers, contact claims representatives.

Each has different eligibility criteria and claims process, but common information you must submit includes:

• Proof of a qualifying condition;
• Medical records and statements from providers confirming your disabled status and future prognosis;
• Statements from your employer detailing how your disability impacts you on the job;
• Statements from you and family members explaining the impacts on daily life.

Timelines For Filing Florida Long-Term Disability Claims

Once you confirm eligibility for coverage, you can begin the claims process. The following are typical tasks that need to be completed and approximate timelines for filing a long-term disability claim in Florida:

• Reviewing policy documents and gathering evidence: This can take several weeks to a month or more.
• Filing out claim forms and questionnaires: Claims forms are complicated. Answer questions carefully and provide thorough information. This can also take several weeks.
• Waiting for a response on filed claims: It may be 45 to 60 days before you receive anything from the insurer or the SSA.
• Requests for additional information: This is standard practice and can take a month or longer to assemble, depending on what is required.
• Resubmitting your claim: Be prepared to wait at least several more weeks.
• Dealing with denials: The Social Security Administration denies up to 40 percent of all claims and insurance denial rates are similarly dismal. You typically have 60 days from the date of notice to request reconsideration or file an appeal.

For Trusted, Local Legal Help, Contact Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer

Filing for long-term disability in Florida can easily take a year or longer. Unfortunately, this can put you and your family in serious financial jeopardy. To get the maximum amount you are entitled to in the least amount of time possible, get the trusted, local legal help you need from Farrell Disability Law. To schedule a consultation in our Jacksonville or Orlando office, contact our experienced Florida long-term disability lawyer today.

Source:

ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html

ssa.gov/open/data/targeted-denial-review.html

dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa#:~:text=The%20Employee%20Retirement%20Income%20Security,for%20individuals%20in%20these%20plans.