24 month marking coming up and unsure of what to do

Disability Insurance
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I am at the 23 month mark on LTD and I’m so stressed and nervous about next month.

I have a PTSD diagnosis from my regular doctor and my insurance company sent me for a psych eval (1 visit) and they found that I didn’t meet the criteria but that I had major depression & anxiety.

I’ve tried different meds, intensive group therapy and 1:1 therapy, and now just started a “functional reactivation program”.

When the definition changes next month, at 24 months, I’m terrified that I will be cut off. I don’t know the process and am really struggling to advocate for myself.

I feel like I have a brain injury. I can’t remember things, words, names, or form long term memories. I get overwhelmed by noise (especially) or if my attention is needed between multiple things. I used to be an excellent cook. Now, I struggle to manage 2 things on the stove without burning one. I would like to be able to work again (I’m 51) but I don’t know what I can do or how to earn enough money to keep my family afloat. This whole situation started when my husband passed suddenly in 2024. I went from having a successful and fulfilling career and active social & life to now just being able to talk to people in the grocery store when I go out.

My salary was 122k so finding a job that I can do outside of my industry (education) making 60% (73k) without going for a new Univ degree seems unrealistic. I don’t even know what I can tolerate, even going back to school.
How do I figure out what I can do, what I’m good at, and my new limits? I can’t function like I did before and so many of my skills have regressed. I get overwhelmed and my brain turns off if things are too loud or if my nervous system feels threats. I’ve been sitting with a ball of anxiety in my stomach ever since my 1st meeting with the functional reactivation person. She wants me to fill out a “what do I do all day" chart and I haven’t been able to sleep since. I am embarrassed to put down what I do in a day so I catch myself embellishing it so I don’t look like a lazy POS.
I just wish there was someone who I could talk to and get advice from.

Should I be talking to a lawyer at this point? I feel under qualified to make decisions about my future while I’m struggling with mental dysfunction and I don’t know who to trust. My insurance claim guy isn’t really looking out for my best interests and he holds all the information and my life in his hands. I’m scared that I seem “too well” if I’m having a good day but my bad days are deep and dark.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Lost & scared.

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  1. Who is your insurer?

  2. For a denial, it’s on the insurer to tell you the basis for denial. This includes telling you what jobs they feel you can do based on their assessment. It’s not on you to tell them what you think you can do. It’s on them.

  3. The fact that you are now on a rehabilitation program is what caused me to reply to this post. You should be speaking to a lawyer to get their thoughts, immediately.

  4. Have you applied for CPP-D? If so, were you denied/approved? If not, you should apply absolutely immediately.

  5. I know this provides no solace at all, so forgive me. You can control what you can control, and what you can’t control you can’t control. So focus on what you can control. 1) Get legal advice. 2) Apply for CPP-D. 3) Get a handle on your finances.

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Nothing wrong with looking like a “lazy POS” if you basically do nothing all day because of disability. Back in the day when I’m had monthly update calls, they often asked me “What I did this week?” sometimes I would reply with “Well I managed to shower a couple times this week and feed myself most days”.

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Thanks for replying. I’m with ASEBP (Blue Cross). I have started the CPP-D application but need to meet with my Dr for his part. I will call a lawyer. Sounds like I might have to sell my house. :frowning:

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I remember my I managed to sweep the stairs updates…

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I just got call back from a lawyer and because I’m in a union, they can’t help me :frowning:

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There are lawyers for unionized employees. Out of respect for Resolute Legal, I won’t post them here, but try Googling.

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