Hurdles

In January I applied for Federal Disability. Any payments that I would get would lower my other disability payments dollar-for-dollar, but still, there are advantages to being on this program. Namely, your earnings are “frozen” for social security benefits determination and after two years you become eligible for Medicare.

I had heard hat they deny everyone’s first request. (Maybe there is a job for me, I could do that!) So I wasn’t terribly surprised when I got that letter three months letter. In April I was contacted by another company that my disability insurance carrier hires to appeal disability claims. This past week I got my second denial. The appealing company dude called to tell me that this is protocol, and that the next step is to request an in-person hearing. He said that this is usually where the claims are granted but that it will likely take 12 to 18 months to even get a hearing date. A year? At least? (By the way COBRA benefits only last 18 months.)

I figure that these denial hurdles and protracted hearing dates are for fraud prevention and stuff, but still, it seems a little silly. They say they “carefully reviewed” my medical records. What we’re they looking for that they didn’t find? My sense of smell seems unaffected? Maybe that is it.

I'm not an "entitlements" kind of guy, but I do know that for 15 years I paid a lot into the program, and that I am truly disabled from my job, any just about every job I can think of.  I'll keep you posted; but don't hold your breath!