Reliance Standard
Reliance Standard is trying to claim I owe an offset of nearly double what I actually was awarded.
I finally received a copy of the LTD from Reliance. They are now deducting the 15k workmans comp settlement I received. I also got a letter from them regarding the reduction. I have not sent in an appeal yet but I did speak with a supervisor about having to pay them the whole 15k when I received only 8100 dollars. She was rude and just said you have 180 days to appeal. My examiner is also rude and I asked for a different one and she said she has never had a complaint about her before and I don’t have a choice. They are now causing a financial hardship. I have the policy now and can’t figure out the workmans’ comp issue. Should I use an attorney? I’m afraid that they will start denying me benefits even though I have been approved until 2019 which they have not sent that to me in writing and still keep asking for health records from time to time. After seeing all these complaints, I just don’t trust them.
They refer to it in their letter as “other income”. My breakdown from workmans comp settlement clearly shows I only received $8100. So, I don’t see how they expect me to pay back 15k when I only received $8100. The breakdown is as follows: Benefits to be withheld from 4/9/14 $636.26, Benefits to be withheld from 5//9/14 to 11/9/14 (6 months) $635.00 monthly, Benefits to be withheld for 11/9/14 to 12/9/14 $630.00. Also, included in the above is an addtitional $161.29 that is deducted. There verbage used was: Please be advised that your LTD monthly benefit will be reduced by $161.29. This amount represents the monthly offset for yur Worker’s Compensation award. They are deducting both amounts right now and then in after the last $630 payment made at the end of the year, they will continue as stated above to reduce my benefits in the amount of $161.29. So right now both deductions are being taken out. Again. Income should be money I received, not what the award amount was. They are really pushing the envelope on this one. I was told when I asked why when I used their attorneys to apply for SSID I only paid them 20k and the amout was 24k which 4k went to the attorneys. I asked why I was expected to 15k vs 8100. They told me that’s the agreement that had with SS, which sounds like BS. Income is income and there is no overpayment to me of 15k. So not only am I paying back 15k but I’m losing money for filing a workmans comp claim by paying the attorneys fees to them and Reliance. This should be illegal.
They refer to it in their letter as “other income”. My breakdown from workmans comp settlement clearly shows I only received $8100. So, I don’t see how they expect me to pay back 15k when I only received $8100. The breakdown is as follows: Benefits to be withheld from 4/9/14 $636.26, Benefits to be withheld from 5//9/14 to 11/9/14 (6 months) $635.00 monthly, Benefits to be withheld for 11/9/14 to 12/9/14 $630.00. Also, included in the above is an addtitional $161.29 that is deducted. There verbage used was: Please be advised that your LTD monthly benefit will be reduced by $161.29. This amount represents the monthly offset for yur Worker’s Compensation award. They are deducting both amounts right now and then in after the last $630 payment made at the end of the year, they will continue as stated above to reduce my benefits in the amount of $161.29. So right now both deductions are being taken out. Again. Income should be money I received, not what the award amount was. They are really pushing the envelope on this one. I was told when I asked why when I used their attorneys to apply for SSID I only paid them 20k and the amout was 24k which 4k went to the attorneys. I asked why I was expected to 15k vs 8100. They told me that’s the agreement that had with SS, which sounds like BS. Income is income and there is no overpayment to me of 15k. So not only am I paying back 15k but I’m losing money for filing a workmans comp claim by paying the attorneys fees to them and Reliance. This should be illegal.
Reply
Kathy, first and foremost, did they provide you with a detailed explanation of the overpayment? Without that, there is really no way to determine how they came to the conclusion you owe them more than what you received. My only suggestion is to reiterate your position and question why the SSDI offset works differently, as you indicated. If that does not yield any success, please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist you.
