Lincoln Financial

2 days before Christmas, LFG told me my benefits would be discontinued. They didn't contact me before and never told me why

Reviewed by Arnold D. on January 16th 2020   Verified Policyholder
First of all I will start with my reason for being on disability, I have multiple degenerative discs in my back along with spinal stenosis plus other problems with my back, I have had this condition for 25 plus years. In 2010 and I found that I also have small fiber peripheral neuropathy, and I found out I also have had this for many years but all that time I thought the pain was coming from my back issues. As a result, my health started declining but in 2011 it came to a point I could not keep working on a full time basis because it became difficult to sit and stand for long period of times, so with much prayer, thought and discussion with my wife and family I applied for disability in July of 2011 at the age of 51. I did not take going on disability lightly as I had a good job making good money for my area and to go on to disability meant I had to leave that and cash in my retirement just to pay off bills so I wouldn’t lose my house. With that being said, in 2011 Lincoln approved my STD almost immediately and approximately six months later in January when the STD expired my LTD took over. In June of 2012 my SSD was approved and the benefit from Lincoln was reduced to the difference of my income and what I am getting from SSD as it was supposed to do. So, two years go by and in 2014 Lincoln asked for updated medical records to show that I was still disabled. I provided it to them and my benefit was continued without any issues. I haven’t really heard anything from them or had any problems with them to amount to anything since 2014 until September of 2019, even then they never contacted me to let me know my benefits had been cancelled. On September 16th, 2019 I received a partial payment from Lincoln which was deposited directly into my account as usual, I called them to see what it was for because I normally receive payment from them on the 4th of each month and at that time I was informed that my benefits had been cancelled because I was able to return to work. They informed me I could submit more info and that they would review it to see if I could be reinstated. I sent them more documents from my doctors stating that I still couldn’t work and also sent them medical test results showing I still have neuropathy. Two days before Christmas they informed me that my appeal was denied and that my benefits would still be discontinued. That is where I am at to this point as I have not been able to find a lawyer locally that is willing to take on my case. Any advice or help you could give would be much appreciated.
Reply
Sent on January 16th 2020 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Arnold, I am sorry to see how Lincoln has handled your claim and that they cut you off with no warning. It sounds like you have been through a lot medically and it sounds like this was an incorrect denial. We are more than happy to review the denial letters and speak with you at a time convenient for you. We can go over the next steps available. Please contact us as soon as possible at 954-620-8300.