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in a quandry

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xena02

Guest
State: Maryland

I am currently receiving long term disability benefits from Unum as a result of two spine surgeries within a nine month period. The LTD started June 2002. As i understand, the disability i receive as a benefit from my employer cannot be cancelled by Unum providing i have support of the docs. Unum also requires appropriate support from my physicians which i provide regularly.

I am still under doctors care going from one specialist to another - all of whom write clinic notes that say "patient should not work due to chronic pain and exacerbated episodes that cause numbness, etc". The last specialist referred a rheumatologist as it appears i have crippling rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arthritis. Both of which inhibit my ability to live a normal life yet are not at the point whereby i require canes, wheelchairs, etc. I simply cannot hold things in my hands, sit or stand in one position more than 20 - 30 minutes. Furthermore, i run fevers with any increased activity such as cooking a meal or doing laundry.

My question is: with appropriate physician back-up, do i run the risk of being cancelled by Unum and/or should i start applying for social security disability at this time?

Not sure what to do? If i take a position of any type i run the risk of being cancelled by Unum and lose the benefits i presently have; on the other hand, however, i am afraid Unum will try to force me to return to work. I am also afraid that if i try to work i will lose too much time and get the boot! HELP. Xena
 


ALawyer

Senior Member
You should apply for SSD if you qualify, regardless. In fact UNUM may even insist you apply, as its obligation to pay benefits typically is reduced by the amount you get from SSD on employer plans.
 

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