Long-Term Disability (LTD) Get the Benefits You Deserve
No one plans to be out of work due to an illness or injury, but when life takes an unexpected turn, Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance can be a financial lifeline. LTD benefits can replace 50%-80% of your income, helping you cover everyday expenses like rent, groceries, and medical bills. But here’s the catch insurance companies don’t make it easy to get the benefits you’re owed. That’s where Liner Legal comes in. We specialize in helping people just like you navigate the tricky world of LTD claims. Whether you’re applying for the first time, dealing with a denial, or stuck in frustrating delays, we’re here to fight for you.
Understanding Long-Term Disability Claims
How Long-Term Disability Insurance Works
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance replaces roughly 50–80% of your income when illness or injury keeps you from working. Most policies have an elimination period (often 90–180 days) before benefits begin. The critical detail is the policy’s definition of “disabled”: many pay under an “own occupation” standard for the first 24 months, then switch to a stricter “any occupation” standard — and that switch is where insurers often cut benefits off.
Why Insurance Companies Deny LTD Claims
LTD insurers are for-profit companies, and denials are common: insufficient objective medical evidence, surveillance, claims that you can do sedentary work, missed deadlines, and pre-existing-condition exclusions. If your policy comes through your employer, it is almost always governed by ERISA, which imposes strict rules — typically a 180-day deadline to appeal and a limited window to add evidence to your file.
Long-Term Disability and SSDI Together
Many LTD policies require you to also apply for SSDI, and you can often receive both — though your LTD insurer will usually reduce (offset) its payment by your SSDI award. Getting both claims right, and coordinated, protects the most benefits.
How Liner Legal Helps
Our long-term disability lawyers handle LTD applications, ERISA appeals, and disputes with insurance companies nationwide — no fee unless you win.
How Does LTD Work?
LTD benefits kick in after a waiting period (usually 3-6 months after your disability starts). They can last for years or even until retirement, depending on your policy. But insurance companies often: