Do I always have to repay Social Security disability benefits to my disability insurance company? Maybe not!

Does a disability insurance claimant have to repay an insurance company back for the money received from Social Security? Unfortunately, this answer is overwhelmingly answered by a simple affirmative “yes.” The vast majority of ERISA governed group long term disability policies contain provisions allowing the insurance company to offset your monthly disability benefit by the amount you and/or your dependents receive from Social Security benefits as a result of your disability. This also includes a right to recover any award of back benefits made by the Social Security Administration, which is usually in the form of a lump sum check. As indicated, this is the most common answer to the question posed. However, a recent Federal Court ruling from Ohio sheds an additional light on the subject. As a disclaimer, the Court’s ruling is highly fact specific and does not necessarily reflect the vast majority of overpayment repayment issues.

The Issue of Overpayment and the Maybe Not

In the case of Kapp v. Sedgwick CMS, Mr. Kapp had been on long term disability for some 8 years through his employer, AT&T’s, long term disability policy, which is administered by Sedgwick. During that time frame Mr. Kapp was paid the wrong monthly benefit amount despite the fact that he repeatedly notified Sedgwick that there was an error in the computation of his monthly benefit. All totaled, he was overpaid $162,308.21. The overpayment stemmed from his receipt of SSDI benefits. The Court notes that Mr. Kapp advised Sedgwick the day he received notice from Social Security that his claim had been approved and benefits were being awarded. When Sedgwick did nothing in response, he continued to notify Sedgwick of the error in his monthly benefit. Despite his attempts to honor his duties and obligations under the policy, Sedgwick and AT&T never claimed an overpayment and actually responded to his notifications and inquiry that the amount he was receiving under the AT&T plan was correct.

From 2002 to 2010 Mr. Kapp received his full monthly disability benefit in addition to his monthly SSDI benefit. Finally, in 2010, Sedgwick and AT&T notified Mr. Kapp of the overpayment and demanded that the benefits be paid. Mr. Kapp appealed Sedgwick and AT&T’s decision to enforce the overpayment. To no one’s surprise, Sedgwick and AT&T deemed the overpayment repayment appropriate.

The Court Steps In

Mr. Kapp filed a lawsuit in Ohio Federal Court, challenging the claimed overpayment on equitable grounds, or in layman’s terms, it isn’t fair. The Court noted that Mr. Kapp had made numerous financial decisions based on the amount of his monthly benefit; had made charitable contributions based on the benefit amount; and helped to pay for the care of his parents, amongst other things, all on the assertions made by Sedgwick as to the amount of his monthly benefit.

In rendering its decision the Court noted that applicable case law stated that even when a benefits plan unambiguously provides the plan a legal right to recoup an overpayment, “equitable principles” may limit a Plan’s right to do so. In making a determination as to whether such equitable principles bar recovery of a mistake resulting in overpayment under an ERISA plan, the Court considered six factors:

1) The amount of time which has passed since the overpayment was made;
2) The effect that recoupment would have on that income
3) The nature of the mistake by the administrator
4) The amount of the overpayment
5) The beneficiary’s total income; and
6) The beneficiary’s use of the money at issue.

After reviewing all of the information before it, the Court did note that under the Plan, an overpayment had occurred, but given the facts and circumstances surrounding the case that Sedgwick and AT&T were barred from recovering the overpayment on equitable grounds.

What It All Means

The ruling in Kapp was a culmination of circumstances that came together in a “perfect storm” of facts. The Court’s opinion should not be read to mean that an insured does not have to repay an insurance company money received from Social Security or other deductible sources of income, but it does establish that on a case by case, deeper analysis should be performed as to the company’s right to enforce repayment. Dell Disability Lawyers had no involvement in representing Mr. Kapp or in his case.


Did you find this helpful?
Unhelpful (0)

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Disability Benefit Denial Options
Submit a Strong Ohio National Appeal Package

We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong Ohio National appeal.

Learn more

Sue Ohio National

We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against Ohio National.

Learn more

Protect Your Benefits
Get Your Ohio National Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.

Learn more

Prevent an Ohio National Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.

Learn more

Negotiate an Ohio National Lump-Sum Settlement

Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.

Learn more

Ohio National Reviews
(0)
Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(1)
Showing 1 of 1 Answered Questions

Q: Who are the top companies you would recommend for a surgical specialist?

Answered on August 1st 2022 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
A: Mac, all insurance companies have their idiosyncrasies when it comes to the claim review process that can caus... Read More >
Helpful Videos
(805)
Showing 12 of 805 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(329)
Showing 8 of 329 Benefit Tips

Are You Entitled to Lifetime Disability Benefits from Ohio National?

I recently spoke with a claimant regarding a letter he received from Ohio National that indicated he was not eligible to receive lifetime disa... Read More >

Do I always have to repay Social Security disability benefits to my disability insurance company? Maybe not!

Does a disability insurance claimant have to repay an insurance company back for the money received from Social Security? Unfortunately, this ... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company

When you're seeking disability benefits under a long term disability policy, your medical rec... Read More >

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance

One thing many long term disability claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims re... Read More >

How Do You Fight a Long-Term Disability Denial?

Getting a denial letter from your disability insurance company is one of the ultimate insults... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #2 - Change of Disability Definition & Vocational Review

One of the top reasons for terminating a claimant's long term disability benefits involves th... Read More >

Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME

At Dell Disability Lawyers, we've seen insurance companies give countless reasons to deny lon... Read More >

How to Apply for Reliance Standard Disability Benefits & Top 5 Reasons for a Claim Denial

At Dell & Schaefer we’ve handled hundreds of long term disability insurance claims against Reliance Standard, and have learned a few thi... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(360)
Showing 8 of 360 Dell Disability Cases

FPL Lineman Wins Lincoln Disability Denial Appeal

Lincoln Life Assurance Company of Boston improperly denied our client’s long-term disabilit... Read More >

Anesthesiologist Approved for Long Term Disability Benfits Plus an Extra 9 Months of Benefits

Our client, an Anesthesiologist, suffered a fall at his home which resulted in rupturing his ... Read More >

Research Epidemiologist with chronic fatigue / ME wins LTD appeal against Prudential

Our client is a former Mental Health Epidemiologist who unfortunately suffered the progressive onset of perv... Read More >

Executive Director with Meniere's Denied Long Term Disability Insurance Benefits By Hartford

Our client, came to us when he was unjustly denied his claim for LTD benefits by Aetna, now Hartford, assert... Read More >

Lincoln Approves Long Term Disability Benefits After Four Year Fight

With financial protections afforded to disability insurance companies under ERISA that insulate them from extra contractual damages there is v... Read More >

Cigna Sued For Failing To Make A Timely Decision on Appeal

If your disability insurance claim has ever been denied you will have received a formal denial letter from your insurance carrier in which you... Read More >

Lincoln National LTD Denial for Pre-Existing Condition Reversed on Appeal

On December 8th of 2020, a new employee at ServerCentral, now known as Deft, a well-known IT ... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(763)
Showing 8 of 763 Lawsuit Stories

Ohio National Sued for Not Paying Brokers Who Sold Annuities

The action by Ohio National means that they will no longer pay commissions on existing VA annuities as the agents and brokers claim was promis... Read More >

Wyeth Pharmaceutical/Pfizer Senior Attorney suffering from disability sues Ohio National Life Insurance Company for denial of disability benefits

A disability attorney recently filed a federal lawsuit against The Ohio National Life Insurance Company. The Plaintiff worked as a Senior Atto... Read More >

Ohio National Life Insurance Company denies claim after 7 years of disability payments

Is there a trend of disability insurance denials taking place at Ohio National? Dell Disability Lawyers recently filed suit in the Federal Dis... Read More >

Federal Court Overturns Aetna Denial Of Disability Benefits

In the recent case of Ferrin v. Aetna Life Ins. Co. a federal judge from the Northern District of Illinois determined that Aetna improperly te... Read More >

Court Finds Irregularities in Procter & Gamble Long Term Disability Benefit Denial

In ERISA cases filed in a district court asking for judicial review of a plan administrator's denial of benefits, the court is generally limit... Read More >

Federal Judge Makes Companion Life Insurance Pay Long Term Disability Benefits

Companion Life tried to play games and deny long term disability benefits, but thankfully a New Mexico Federal Judge made them pay disability ... Read More >

NFL Disability Review Board Ignores Evidence of Disability and Appeal Court Reverses Lower Court Decision

In Darren Mickell v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan (Plan), Mickell spent nine years in the NFL as a defensive e... Read More >

Judge Agrees that MetLife's Denial of Long Term Disability Benefits was Reasonable

In Anne Ehlert v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), Ehlert was a consulting pension actuary for pension plans at Towers... Read More >

Reviews from Our Clients

Request a Free Consultation

Our Lawyers Respond Same Day

5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid

Get Your Disability Application Approved

Our goal is to get your application for disability income benefits approved. Applying for disability benefits can be a difficult process and the information you provide is critical. Most disability insurance companies look at your application in hopes of finding a reason to deny your claim. Your disability company will ask you to complete numerous forms, interview you, request lots of information, speak with your doctors and possibly request to have you examined by their "hired gun" doctor.

Through our experience of having helped thousands of disability insurance claimants, our lawyers will guide you through the entire application process and give you the best chance to get your disability claim approved the first time.

Submit A Strong Appeal Package

If your disability insurance benefits have been wrongfully denied, then our lawyers know exactly what it takes to get your disability claim approved. You only get once chance to submit an Appeal, therefore every piece of evidence that will support your disability claim must be included. The goal is to win your disability benefits at the Appeal level, but while preparing your Appeal you must consider how a federal judge will review your disability claim if your benefit denial is upheld.

Preparing a strong disability appeal package is an art that requires you to understand how the courts interpret your disability policy language, ERISA regulations / laws, and how to strategically present evidence in support of your definition of "disability". We encourage you to contact any of our lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability denial.

Sue Your Disability Company

98% of the disability insurance lawsuits filed by our law firm have resulted in either the payment of benefits or a lump-sum settlement agreement. Our disability lawyers have filed ERISA governed and private policy long term disability insurance lawsuits against every major disability insurance company in state and federal courts nationwide and we love fighting for the "little guy" against the multi-billion dollar insurance company giants.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and we would like the opportunity to provide you with a free review of your disability benefit denial. There are many complex factors in a disability benefit lawsuit and the legal battle to win long term disability benefits can be fierce.

Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial

Approval of long-term disability is a continuous process as every disability insurance company will evaluate your eligibility for benefits on a monthly basis. You can never let your guard down and assume that your disability company will continue to pay your benefits for as long as you think you need them.

Our law firm offers a reasonable flat fee monthly claim handling service in which we handle every aspect of your long-term disability claim and do whatever it takes to make sure you are paid every month.

Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

Let's discuss if a lump-sum settlement or buyout of your disability insurance claim is both available and makes financial sense for you. Our lawyers have negotiated more than five-hundred million dollars in disability insurance buyouts and we know how to get you a maximum settlement. A disability insurance company is not required to offer a buyout and not every disability company offers them.

Questions About Hiring Us

Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?

We are disability insurance lawyers that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.

In more than 98% of our cases, our lawyers have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement. Our lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.

We welcome you to contact any of our attorneys for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 700 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

Our lawyers help individuals that have either purchased a long term disability insurance policy from an insurance company or obtained short or long term disability insurance coverage as a benefit from their employer. We have helped individuals in almost every type of occupation with monthly disability benefit payments ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.

Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.

A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.

Do you work in my state?

Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.

What are your fees?

Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.

The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.

In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.

Do I have to come to your office to work with your law firm?

No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, GoToMeeting sessions, or Skype. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.

How can I contact you?

When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.