Covid-19 Disability Help

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Will your COVID-19 Stimulus Money be an Offset to your LTD Benefits?

Lately we have had a common question continually arise from our clients and even potential clients. As everyone on claim and receiving disability insurance benefits knows (or has unfortunately learned while on claim), insurance companies reduce the amount of money they pay each month if the claimant is receiving certain other source of income. Most often, insurance companies are able to reduce the amount of money they pay due to the claimant receiving Social Security Disability Income Benefits.

COVID-19 Stimulus Money - LTD Benefits Offset?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting the United States and World and its great impact on the economy, Congress has responded with a $2 trillion dollar stimulus package, which is formally known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy Security (CARES) Act.

With this Act, the federal government will pay $1,200 to individual taxpayers ($2,400 for co-filing married couples), with an additional $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17, with certain limitations or reductions depending on your income (For more specific information regarding the amounts to be paid, see recent news articles on the subject or contact your local government representative).

It has been stated that those receiving disability insurance benefits are eligible to receive Stimulus Funds. As such, many individuals currently on claim will be receiving additional monies from the Federal Government in the near future.

This has left many people asking: Will the Stimulus Funds be an Offset to my Disability Insurance Claim?

In all likelihood, the answer is NO.

Over the course of the last few weeks, we have reviewed multiple policies with multiple insurance companies. Most policies require that the other income benefits you receive must be as a result of your Disability or the Sickness or Injury that caused your Disability. In policies with this or similar language, the argument can be made that the Stimulus Money is not being paid due to your Disability and thus cannot be an offset.

Meanwhile, other policies are written with vague language whereby an insurance company could potentially make the argument that the Stimulus Money could be considered “other income benefits.”

For instance, Hartford’s policies often state that other income benefits include “The Amount of any temporary and permanent benefits to which you are entitled under any:

workers’ compensation law;
occupational disease law;
unemployment compensation law;
compulsory benefit act or law;
other act or law of like intent.”

While an argument could be made that the Stimulus Money could fall under some of those subsections, we do not believe that any insurance company will attempt to make the argument that this Stimulus Money should be an offset.

The main reason we are fairly confident that the Stimulus Money will not be an offset (if they could even make the argument that it should be) is that the insurance companies would be creating a Public Relations Nightmare. It would look terrible if insurance companies attempted this as they would then in effect be the beneficiaries of this Congressional Act. Insurance companies would essentially be stealing money out of the pockets of those who Congress intended to receive money.

Once word leaked that this was occurring (and you can be assured that Dell & Schaefer would get this to every major news outlets as well as Congressional Representatives), Congress, the Media and our Firm would then come down hard on the industry which would impact its business and stock value. Thankfully, we believe that the insurance companies do not have any intent to offset this money and claimants should be assured that they should be able to keep every Stimulus dollar received.

However, should your disability insurance provider attempt to offset your Stimulus Funds, please contact us immediately as we would love to fight each and every insurance company that attempts to do so.

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Sedgwick

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New York Life

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Reviewed by Bob C. on November 13th 2024 Verified Policyholder

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They FULL OF ****

Reviewed by KM on October 3rd 2024 Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability

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Worst Company Ever

Reviewed by RobRob on September 23rd 2024 Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability

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Reviewed by Jeff on August 22nd 2024 Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability

The worst company I ever dealt with, never received a call from my claim manager.

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When I did call & reach a live person they were kind & helpful. The person assigned to my claim left one phone message & I have not spoken to her since. Information she re... read more >

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Reviews from Our Clients

S.S.

I am a physician in my 30s who was practicing in my hospital based medical specialty until my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis began to severely limit my physical ability to work.

My husband and I were obviously in distress at these very unwanted life changes and frankly overwhelmed with the possibility of a long and traumatizing legal battle ahead of us. We knew we were legally entitled to benefits through the separate private individual and employer based ERISA disability insurance policies we had, but even cursory research and discussion with colleagues made it clear that insurance companies will strategize with their own legal teams to find ways to not pay out benefits. We found many before us who had fallen unwittingly into legal pitfalls that prevented them from ultimately obtaining benefits. We realized we needed to seek legal counseling.

We found Dell Disability Lawyers through their YouTube channel where their partners have videos discussing the legal intricacies and latest developments in private disability law. I was impressed by their dedication to the field and reached out through their website to request a free consultation.

We were delighted to hear that Mr. Steven Dell himself would be willing to take our case and felt assured that we would be represented by the best of the best.

We have not been disappointed in our expectation and have, in fact, been consistently very impressed. Steven Dell is clearly both knowledgeable and wise about dealing with these issues but more importantly, has shown kindness and impeccable honesty at each step of the way.

Merlin has demonstrated a very high capacity for organizing and handling the endless myriad of documents and communications between us and the insurance companies. She has also been very compassionate, accessible and forthcoming in dealing with our many anxiety fueled emails and telephone calls to her and we are very grateful for her involvement.

For over 7 months, we have been working closely with Steven Dell and Merlin Bryan from Dell Disability Lawyers as they have guided us through the process of review and initial application for benefits from our two insurance policies (Hartford and Ameritas).

We are happy to announce we just received approval of claim from the Hartford insurance company.

At this time we are still working with this firm as we await the final decisions from Ameritas policy that we are hopeful will have a similar outcome.

As anyone with a chronic and progressive illness can tell you, time becomes a very precious commodity. Through their representation, Dell Disability Lawyers has allowed us to focus the majority of our time enjoying the time and function I have left while resting assured that our disability case laid in competent and caring hands.

The truth is that no amount of money can make up for what we have lost, but it is a huge comfort to have a team like Dell Disability Lawyers at our sides to help us ensure we will be able to continue to care for ourselves and our families.

We highly recommend Dell Disability Lawyers, Mr. Steven Dell and Ms. Merlin Bryan to handle your disability insurance claim.

Thank you Steven, thank you Merlin!

We will certainly plan on leaving another review for completeness once we have our final decision from Ameritas.

Paula B.

I have been working with Dell Disability Lawyers for the past 5 years concerning my disability as it pertained to my employer. I have been more than pleased with them the entire time. They have always kept me informed of any paperwork needing completed or any changes coming ahead. Nothing has been a surprise. I would recommend them to you to help with your disability case if you’re trying to dip into the policy you’ve been paying for.

Michael M.

I am a physician who has been disabled for over 10 years. During this time I have been represented by Cesar Gavidia and his assistant, Danielle Lauria. Their representation on my behalf has allowed me to concentrate on dealing with my disability/disease process and all associated complications and not having to deal with all the things that are necessary in a disability insurance claim. Based on my personal experience from many years of practicing medicine I would consider their work product, insight and effort in the disability insurance claim procedures to be superior. I would recommnend them, which I have done, with my highest level of confidence. In short, you will be well served with this practice.

Dan P.

I had to retire from my career due to a bad back that restricted me from performing my duties. I had LTD insurance and after a few years of receiving monthly benefits from this insurance company, they notified me that my benefits were terminated stating that I don’t qualify due to my duties not fitting into some “national job description” and a nurse had deemed me eligible to go back to work. It’s a crushing feeling to have this told to you over the phone with hardly any information given. Luckily, I came across Dell Disability Lawyers and spoke with Attorney Palamara who calmed me down and stated they would take my case. Within a couple of months my benefits were restored, and I had piece of mind. I cannot thank Attorney Palamara and the staff at Dell Disability Lawyers enough for their professionalism, no nonsense approach, personal and timely communication and quick ability to litigate my case.

Jen S.

I wanted to thank Mr. Symonds and his legal assistant Sonia for their professionalism, guidance and dedication towards my LTD insurance claim. Going through the denial process on my own was going to get me sicker and I knew it was time for help right away. I reached out to Dell Disability Lawyers for assistance and not too long after my call, I was connected with Sonia. Soon after that, I was talking about my case with Mr. Symonds. After a long and tedious process with the LTD insurer, we won the case. The wait can absolutely be lengthy, but in the end, it was all very much worth the fight. Thank you both so much for all that you have done for me! I also want to thank those who assisted in keeping me updated, as needed. Highly recommended for anyone who is going through the brutal process of an LTD denial.

Carl G.

I would like to thank Dell Disability Lawyers for taking care of my case and help me get the insurance coverage that I was rightfully in need of. Specially, I would like to thank Attorney Alexander Palamara and right-hand legal assistant, Sonia Nogueira, who made this process less stressful. They answered all my questions and kept me informed every step of the way.

Don’t get me wrong. They never promised or told me that I was going to win my case, as no one can guarantee that for you. What they did do, was letting me know that they were working hard for me and to keep positive. Something that I recommend everyone to do is to subscribe to their YouTube channel. That will give you an idea on how they operate and why they (for most of their cases) win their cases.

Since I was awarded disability, I am still having surgeries and thanks to them, I’ve been able to cover all those expenses.

Warm regards to everyone at Dell Disability Lawyers!

Clarisa B.

I’m so very Grateful and Thankful for the team at Dell Disability Lawyers. They worked tirelessly to get the best outcome for me. I’m so glad that I found them!!

Carole S.

Exceptional, efficient and professional service from Jay Symonds and Sonia Nogueira. They were both so helpful and knowledgeable and navigated me through a very stressful and difficult situation with New York Life.

K. S.

Awesome team. Jay and his team, Sonia and Francesca, truly care. This team is very professional and quick to respond. Jay always provided answers in detail to my questions. I strongly recommend Jay Symonds.

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