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 things in the process. When you’re experiencing an injury or illness that makes it difficult (or impossible) to work, it can be tempting to file a claim as quickly as possible – but unless a claimant has all their ducks in a row, this could actually delay the ultimate resolution of the claim. Below are just a few of the tips we’ve discovered when negotiating long term disability insurance benefits with Reliance Standard.
#1: Medical Support is The Most Important Thing to Obtain a Reliance Standard Disability Approval
The single most important step in securing disability insurance claim approval is medical support from a claimant’s treatment providers. When you’re submitting a claim to Reliance Standard, it’s only as good as it looks on paper – which means there must be objective evidence, preferably medical records and physician statements, that you’re suffering from a condition that leaves you unable to work.
Most medical doctors aren’t prepared for the filter or spin the disability claims representatives will put on their comments. When your doctor is writing notes or filling out your chart, they’re focused on the pathology of your current condition and what will need to happen to get you better. They aren’t likely to provide details on how your condition affects you at work (or at home) or how long it’s likely to last. Because doctors’ notes don’t always line up with the information Reliance Standard is looking for, some otherwise worthy claims may be denied simply because the doctor’s notes don’t have the right verbiage.
#2: Your Treating Doctors Must be Prepared For A Phone Call With Reliance Standard Medical Experts
One way to overcome this common pitfall is to prepare your doctors for a phone call with one of Reliance Standard’s medical experts. Reliance Standard will be looking for direct evidence that your condition prevents you from performing one or more essential aspects of your current position. If your doctor isn’t sure what you do for a living or how much time you spend sitting, standing, lifting objects, or staring at a computer screen, they’re not going to be able to provide a valid opinion on how your condition affects you.
Furthermore, since doctors are busy and not always prompt about returning phone calls, a day or two of unsuccessful phone tag can mean Reliance Standard never hears directly from your doctor. Instead, set up a phone conference at a specific time as part of a medical appointment. This ensures your physician can connect with Reliance Standard and make sure it has a clear picture of what your condition means for you.
It’s also important for treating physicians to be educated on how a claimant’s Reliance Standard policy defines “disability.” For “own-occupation” policies, a claimant can be considered disabled if their condition prevents them from performing their current position. But in an “any-occupation” policy, a claimant will only be disabled if their condition prevents them from holding down any paid employment, which can be a much harder standard to meet.
#3: Occupational Experts Can Be Very Helpful in Establishing your Occupational Duties
“Own-occupation” and “any-occupation” policy definitions aren’t fixed, and many of Reliance Standard’s long term disability policies may begin paying benefits under an “own-occupation” standard and later switch to an “any-occupation” standard (often at the two-year mark). To continue receiving benefits, disability claimants may need to consult an occupational expert who can provide a roadmap to show exactly what the requirements are for a particular job.
#4: Know the Level of Review Your Claim File Will Receive
Reliance Standard can be anything but standard when it comes to reviewing a disability claimant’s file. In some cases, the insurance company will put the claim file through a fairly cursory internal review with a staff nurse or doctor who will recommend approving or denying the claim. Because the reviewer is directly employed by Reliance Standard, they have a vested interest in denying the claim – after all, the fewer long term disability claims Reliance Standard pays, the more profit it earns.
In other situations, Reliance Standard may send a file out for an “independent physician review,” where a physician employed by a different agency performs a review of your file. Because your file is only as good as it looks on paper at this point, it’s important to provide as much relevant information as possible.
#5: Your “Date of Disability” is Important
Determining your official date of disability can be more of a challenge than it may seem. This is even more true if your disability begins to cause problems during the “look-back” period of your long term disability policy. Most policies have a look-back period of anywhere from nine months to a year, which can mean that claims for any pre-existing conditions (or those that began to manifest before or during the look-back period) can be barred. To receive long term disability benefits from Reliance Standard, you’ll need to show that the onset of your disability occurred after the look-back period ended.
Regardless of where you are in your Reliance Standard disability claim, Dell & Schaefer can help. To get started, set up your FREE consultation with one of our attorneys today.
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Reliance Standard Reviews
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Policy Holder Rating
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Timely Payments
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Handling Claim
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Showing 8 of 650 Reviews
Reliance Standard
Short Term Disability Claim/Inconsistent to NO Communication
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 >
Reliance Standard
Staff Lie
I had my disability cut off the day I was scheduled to find out whether I should have surgery. The claims examiner was aware that I had an appointment on that date and sai... read more >
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Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard denied my LTD benefits because COVID-19 limited my ability to provide proof of continued disability.
Hello, I have a LTD policy with Reliance Standard and it has been paid (considered disabled) for 14 plus years. However, due to limited doctors visits / records this past ... read more >
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Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard cut off my LTD benefits claiming I'm fit enough to work even though I'm more sick than before.
It should be criminal that this company treats sick people like this who just want PTO be left alone! I received a call from Reliance on 7/6/20 cutting me off after 1 year... read more >
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Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard notified me that my benefits were being stopped with no warning or reason.
Horrible company! Phoned me on June 4th to let me know that I would no longer be receiving benefits as of June 3rd. Just like that! No questions asked and no info given!
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Reliance Standard
I was receiving LTD from Reliance Standard due to breast cancer until they suddenly denied me my benefits.
I was diagnosed stage 2 breast cancer June 2015 and went out on std with Reliance. Within 4 months following my status changed to stage 4 with Mets to my spine. STD conver... read more >
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Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard never answers or returns my calls, has not provided me my benefits, and falsely claims I never provided necessary paperwork.
I have been on STDI since April 28th, 2017 and I have only received what they say is a “courtesy payment” because they know the hardship which I am facing. I call mult... read more >
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Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard is unreasonably prolonging the transition from STD to LTD for my boyfriend.
In August 2016 my boyfriend was placed on disability by his family physician. A short background, he is a type I Diabetic since age 4 and had to have multiple lumbar back ... read more >
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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
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Showing 8 of 25 Answered Questions
Q: Are VA disability payments considered “other income” by Reliance Standard?
A: The disability policy may allow Reliance Standard to deduct and offset your monthly benefit payment by your VA... Read More >
Q: Denied short term disability and need to file for long term with same insurer
A: We would be more than happy to speak with you and review your denial letter and policy and discuss how we can ... Read More >
Q: Will Reliance Standard reduce my LTD payments due to my pension benefits or rental income?
A: ARH, I am happy to hear of your LTD approval, though I am sorry to hear of your medical conditions. The LTD po... Read More >
Q: Why is Reliance Standard trying to recover payments I was awarded through another company?
A: Dani, your disability plan may contain a provision which allows Reliance to claim and recover an overpayment o... Read More >
Q: Do I have to provide additional proof of my disability that's specifically requested by Reliance Standard?
A: Fred, I am sorry to hear all that you have been through medically and in dealing with Reliance Standard. Unfor... Read More >
Q: How do I access a copy of my STD policy with Reliance Standard?
A: Vicki, I am sorry to hear the trouble you are having with the Standard. It seems they are certainly make thing... Read More >
Q: If I'm not receiving the SSDI benefits for my children from Reliance Standard due to custody, should my SSDI benefits increase?
A: Bill, it depends on terms and conditions relating to “other income benefits” and “offset” under your f... Read More >
Q: How can Reliance Standard not coordinate with both of my disability insurance policies?
A: Jerry, you will need to review your RSL policy to determine what it deems to be a source of “Other Income”... Read More >
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Disability Benefit Tips
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Showing 8 of 331 Benefit Tips
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 things in the process. When you’re experiencing an injury or illness that makes it difficult (or impossible) to work, it can be tempting to file a claim as quickly as possible – but unless a claimant has all their ducks in a row, this could actually delay the ultimate r... Read More >
Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?
When it comes to securing your disability insurance benefits, it's vitally important that your disability insurance lawyer thoroughly understands the symptoms and impact of your disabling condition. Doctors can help you create strong medical records, but they're not accustomed to dealing with the rigorous documentation disability insurance companies require. Lea... Read More >
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #5 – Your Medical Evidence is Weak
If you're seeking long term disability benefits from an insurance company, you may be concerned that you're facing an uphill battle. Fortunately, the stronger your medical evidence, the greater the odds that your claim will be approved. On the other side of the coin, one of the most common reasons for denial of long term disability benefits involves too-weak med... Read More >
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company
When you're seeking disability insurance benefits, your medical records and treating physician's statement are two of the most important components of your claim. But because the insurance company has a vested interest in denying your disability insurance claim, it often will rely on tactics like ambushing your doctor with a phone call in an attempt to get them ... Read More >
Disability Benefit Denial Reason #3 - Video & Social Media Surveillance
One thing many disability insurance claimants don't know about (or expect) from the claims review process involves video and social media surveillance. Disability insurance carriers often hire people to follow claimants around with a telephoto lens - or even send social media friend requests from fake accounts - to glean whatever information they can about the c... 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. You are sick and not able to work, yet your disability insurance company is telling you to return to work. The disability insurance company has denied your disability benefit claim and is basically calling you a liar. When receiving a disability denial letter or a ph... 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 the change in the disability insurance policy's definition of "disability." This definition change often happens in conjunction with a vocational review, or an analysis of a claimant's medical records that tells the insurance company which jobs the claimant should be able ... Read More >
Disability Denial Reason #1 – Paper Review & IME
At Dell Disability Lawyers, we've seen insurance companies give countless reasons to deny long term disability benefits. However, most disability benefit denials tend to fall into one of a few categories - and one of the biggest ones is the paper review and independent medical exam (IME). Learn more about what this review process entails and what your claim file... Read More >
Dell Disability Cases
(375)
Showing 8 of 375 Dell Disability Cases
How does Reliance Standard deny long term disability benefits after paying for three years?
A former Payroll Manager for Solairus Aviation, a large Private Jet Charter and Aircraft Management Company was significantly injured in a serious motor vehicle accident which occurred on June 26, 2017. This accident changed her life forever. Due to the accident, our now client suffered from a traumatic brain injury which led to diagnoses such a post-concussi... Read More >
Reliance Standard overturned its previous denial of long term disability benefits for Texas Retail Store Manager
Our client, Mr. S, formerly worked as a Store Manager for a large national retail chain. In August 2016 Mr. S suffered from multiple Transient Ischemic Attacks (“TIAs”) or mini-strokes which left him with debilitating physical and cognitive impairments. Mr. S made several attempts to return to work failed but continued to suffer slurred speech, headaches, pressure in the back of his head and memory loss, h... Read More >
Reliance Standard overturned LTD denial for Tennessee Technology Sales Consultant
Our client, Mr. L, formerly worked as a Sales Consultant for a global technology company. In September 2014 a number of medical issues following an ischemic stroke forced Mr. L to stop working and submit his claim for disability benefits under his employer's long-term disability (LTD) policy, which was funded and administered by Reliance Standard. Under his employer's disability policy he would be considered t... Read More >
Reliance Standard overturns decision to deny long-term disability benefits to Paediatrician with Ovarian Cancer
Prior to her disability Dr. Julie worked as a pediatric physician for a nationally recognized health system based in Florida. In 2015, Dr. Julie received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and chemotherapy. Although the chemotherapy and treatment likely saved her life, she remained suffering from residual neuropathy in her hands and feet, as well as chronic and severe fa... Read More >
Reliance Standard reinstates disability benefits to Project Manager
Our client, a former Senior Project Manager for a national corporation, was receiving long term disability benefits from Reliance Standard due to debilitating chronic pain stemming from a multitude of lumbar and cervical spine disorders. Reliance Standard initially approved his claim for short term disability benefits and without issue approved his claim for long term disability benefits once the period of sho... Read More >
Reliance Standard Reinstates Benefits for Former Employee of Parent Company, Delphi Financial, Following Successful Appeal
Our client, Ms. L, formerly worked as a National Account Manager for Delphi Financial Group, the parent company of Reliance Standard Insurance Company. In 2015, a number of medical issues, namely, chronic daily pain, sleep difficulties, fatigue and cognitive and memory impairments forced Ms. L to stop working and submit her claim for long-term disability benefits. In addition to these symptoms her doctors susp... Read More >
Reliance Standard Overturns Denial of Benefits on Appeal After Claiming It Failed to Receive Medical Records
Ms. L was employed as a registered nurse when she was diagnosed with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy and visual field defect. Her employer, a large medical healthcare system, provided Ms. L and its other employees group long-term disability insurance through Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company ("Reliance Standard"). In 2014 Ms. L's vision degraded so severely that her doctors diagnosed h... Read More >
After sending claimant to a psychiatric IME, Reliance Standard realizes its decision to deny benefits was incorrect
Reliance Standard Incorrectly Denies BenefitsThe claimant had been suffering from severe depression and anxiety due to many stressors in his life including a child custody battle which threw him into major depression and severe anxiety preventing him from being able to work in his occupation as an engineer. The claimant contacted Dell Disability Lawyers to assist him with his appeal as he did not believe h... Read More >
Disability Lawsuit Stories
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Reviews from Our Clients
