JalapenoLuv
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Welcome to Phoenix Rising!
Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.
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Aided by a federal law known as ERISA, (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), they have been given procedural advantages and have means at their disposal to intimidate and oppress even the most well-informed “claimants.”
@JalapenoLuv
It's so hard for anyone who has become too sick to work to file all the paperwork for any type of LTD claim. But it's even worse for patients who have brain fog.
I know it is different for everyone but, in my case, filing for disability with Social Security was fairly easy. I was approved on my very first try. I did not have a lawyer. It was about 8 months between when I first filed the paperwork and when the money was deposited in my account.That's why you hire a lawyer for SSA.
I know it is different for everyone but, in my case, filing for disability with Social Security was fairly easy. I was approved on my very first try. I did not have a lawyer. It was about 8 months between when I first filed the paperwork and when the money was deposited in my account.
My difficulty was with my ERISA LTD claim. I've never heard of a patient winning an ERISA LTD claim without a lawyer. They may exist out there somewhere but I'll bet they are pretty rare.
It was a long time ago but here's a summary as I remember it.Really, they approved you for CFS without a lawyer? What was your supporting evidence? Were your doctor's notes detailed? Did you have function and pain diaries?
...To be honest, I don't really know exactly why I got approved when so many other claims get turned down. Some combination of medical evidence, doctors' letters, personal details, timing, luck -- who knows?