Questions about specific activities in a form in LTD

Disability Insurance
1

Hello,

LTD case manager always wanted to call me, but doctor told him it was too stressful and that got him off my back. They got an independent psychiatrist to evaluate me twice, she’s agreed with the veracity of my claim.

Recently he tried to call me again after months of silence. He just wanted a phone call interview and was demanded I schedule it. I followed up by asking if it could be done via email due to stress of the call. He agreed and sent a set of questions to fill out.

The questions seem a little odd in some parts. Some stuff is easy, like have I started working or getting paid for a job or volunteering which is pretty obvious that all that is disqualifying.

But one weird section is asking me about certain activities.

It mentions videogames, scrolling on my phone,watching television and reading novels. I’m just kinda perplexed; not sure what answer they are looking for as I don’t see how any specific answer to any of those is evidence for or against a depression LTD claim. Like I just can’t just see the leap from “oh you watched an episode of Tv, therefore you can go back to work”

Are they just trying to get as much info as possible and hope I say something like “oh yeah I watch TV! I work as a film critic writing posts on this blog for money and it’s a new job I got!” or is this just getting into my head or is it really the case that something like that can actually be a foothold for denial of the claim down the line?

Thank you

2

So yes, they do look for opportunities to misinterpret leisure as ability — but that’s only if someone answers in a way that suggests high functioning.

:check_mark: The key is to frame the activities in terms of limits, not “enjoying leisure”

Most people with depression can still:

  • watch TV passively;

  • read in short bursts;

  • scroll their phone mindlessly.

That’s entirely consistent with disability and mental illness.

Correct framing is things like:

  • “I may try to watch TV but I zone out or can’t absorb what I’m watching.”

  • “Scrolling my phone is mindless and inconsistent, not something I can sustain.”

  • “I can only do activities that require no pressure or responsibility.”

  • “Any activity is sporadic and depends on the severity of symptoms that day.”

These are truthful, and — importantly — they prevent the insurer from twisting the narrative.

:check_mark: And remember: the independent psychiatrist agreeing twice is huge

It means your friend’s condition has already been validated by a neutral medical expert. That’s much stronger than any leisure-activity question could undo.

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