Unum Disability Help

Question

Survivor's benefits

Name: Dell Disability Lawyers
Brand: Dell Disability Lawyers
Rating: 5 (746 reviews)

Asked on December 19th 2023 by Cindy

I have been on disability since August 2021 through December 2023 through my former employer with Unum. I started receiving Survivor’s benefits in November 2021 and told my Unum contact. She informed me that survivor benefits didn’t have anything to do with my disability. Now Unum is saying that I need to pay them back $28,697.60 of the $35362.84 they have paid me but will still provide me with a $107.38 monthly payment. I am freaking out! I am barely surviving with the money I was getting and now not only are they dramatically reducing payment but they want a phenomenal amount of money from me within the coming month! I’m unable to pay this back, help please!

Answer

Answered on December 15th 2023 by Attorney Gregory Dell

Cindy: A few things come to mind. Your disability policy will have a section called deductible sources of income. It will state the types of income that will offset your policy. Usually if you are receiving ssdi benefits due to being a survivor and not due to your disability, then there should not be an offset. Also do you have it in writing where Unum told you there would not be an offset? You need to submit a written appeal of their payment request.

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Unum Reviews

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Unum

Unum does not act as a fiduciary

Reviewed by Unum is horrible on July 15th 2025 Verified Policyholder | October 2025 date of disability

I received paycheck from 2 sources at work. I was approved for LTD by Metlife within 40 days, no questions asked. I was approved by NWM which was my private own occupation...

Unum

UNUM denied my LTD claim after 6 months although my health continues to decline

Reviewed by Michael B on July 12th 2025 Verified Policyholder | July 2023 date of disability

An attorney is needed to monitor an open, ongoing claim. I naively thought payments would continue. Review of medical records by a disability attorney before submission to...

Unum

Unum is evil

Reviewed by Shandra on January 30th 2025 Verified Policyholder | November 2021 date of disability

On 11/3/2021 I got shot by my boyfriend and my spinalcord got hit, paralyzing me from the neck down and accepting Unum benefits was the worst decision I ever made. I sued ...

Unum

Unum Closed My Case Today

Reviewed by Scott C. on July 5th 2024 Verified Policyholder | March 2023 date of disability

Unum will keep you around, if they pay you 100 a month. But as soon as have to pay more than 2700 a month, they will drop you. We will be going to the attorneys office fir...

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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers

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Q: If I'm getting paid from Unum insurance already and in the near future I want to try and get some sort of settlement, can I go about that and does your firm do that sort of thing?

Answered on November 24th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Hello. We negotiate Unum long term disability benefits regularly. In order to be eligible you must be on claim...

Q: If I get married, will my Unum disability be affected?

Answered on October 30th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell

A: Your marriage should have no impact on your disability income benefits.

Q: Pregnancy health issues

Answered on September 23rd 2025 by Attorney Jay Symonds

A: Nea, did you file a Short-Term or Long-Term claim with Unum? When did you file it? From your question it seems...

Q: I have LTD through UNUM, can I move out of state?

Answered on August 26th 2025 by Attorney Alex Palamara

A: Linda, yes, you certainly are able to move to a different state even if you are receiving disability benefits....

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Disability Benefit Tips

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Disability Lawsuit Stories

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Unum Wrongfully Terminated Disabled Lawyer’s Disability Claim of Depression and Anxiety Despite Improvement in His Condition

This Unum lawsuit and appeal in federal court is a great victory for all Unum disability claimants. This case supports all claimants that are disabled and claim that they cannot return to work as the requirements of their job will aggravate their symptoms and make them unable to work.Mark was a personal injury litigation attorney, when he began struggling with symptoms of...

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In Stephanie Dorris v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America (Unum), Plaintiff was President of Beans Plus, Inc. when about 20 years ago she became unable to perform the duties of her own occupation due to her suffering from endometriosis. She was covered under her employer's long term disability insurance benefit plan through Unum.Under the terms of the policy. LTD benefits would be pa...

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Reviews from Our Clients

Keith G.

They were very professional with their responds and on time with keeping you inform about everything with your case. I would recommend My lawyer Stephen Jessup, he was on point with everything, thank you. You guys are awesome people to work with. God bless you guys.

Keith L.

I was not able to work as a physician for about 14 months due to neck/back issues. Even though I had 3 medical doctors explicitly state that I was not to work AT ALL as a physician at that time, New York Life (NYL) Disability Insurance denied my long term disability claim (which apparently they deny a high percentage of people similar to me- only they know why they do this to so many- I have my own suspicions). I was in pain from my medical issues and so frustrated with NYL considering I had many bills coming due. I then decided to call Dell Disability Lawyers. One of their attorneys, Alex Palamara, spoke to me on the phone right then to hear and understand my story and then offer ways he could help. Long story short, within a few months of me returning back to work, he was able to persuade NYL to pay me my long term disability claim. He (and his kind assistant, Tabitha) were always very helpful, informative, and available to me. I feel quite certain that NYL would NEVER have paid me what was appropriate based on my insurance agreement/ contract with them without the help of Alex. I highly recommend him/Dell Disability Lawyers. If you find yourself in a similar situation of disability insurance denial of your own personal/group policy, especially if you are a medical provider/physician like me, then consider contacting them for advice/direction PRIOR to appealing your claim on your own.

Kyle D.

Jay Symonds and his assistant, Sonia helped me tremendously. The insurance company that worked for my former employer did everything they could to make my life literally miserable. That all changed when I hired Jay. He and Sonia fought for my rights and forced the insurance company to pay what they should have.

If you have a disability claim hire Jay as if you go it alone the insurance company will screw you. Jay and Sonia will fight for everything you are entitled for. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

Frank R.

I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with Dell Disability Lawyers. Attorney Stephen Jessup and Amanda offered an opportunity to provide clarity on a complex issue regarding my disability claim. Mr. Jessup offered advice on an offset to my claim after my insurance company asked for additional information from Social Security. With counsel from Mr. Jessup, I was able to address the outstanding issue with the Social Security office and provide my insurance company with the required documentation to address their concerns. Mr. Jessup always responded in a timely manner with expert advice and offered the opportunity for follow up. I strongly recommend Dell Disability Lawyers to those seeking legal counsel for disability matters.

Wesley D.

I have been able to help others as a soldier, a police officer, and a pharmacist. I needed help forcing the insurance company to keep their commitment to take care of me and my family. I called Dell. Alex, Tabitha, and their entire team were very compassionate, extremely patient, and extraordinarily knowledgeable. Many thanks Dell!

Samar A.

My husband had applied for Long Term Disability and was denied. We sought out Rachel Alters at Dell Disability Lawyers to help us with our appeal. Rachel and her team were so diligent and meticulous in every aspect of the process. The process was seamless, and we never had any doubts that she would get it done and that she did! We are forever grateful to Rachel and Catherine for all of their determination and tenacity to get us the outcome we needed and deserved.

We could not recommend better representation and are indebted to them for making us whole again. Thank you so much Rachel and team!

Jam

Alex Palamara is one of The Best lawyers in the world and Dell Disability Lawyers are the Best by Far. Alex and his Assistant Tabitha helped me get the compensation I needed for a Horrific Disabling heath condition I’ve been dealing with for over a year. Alex and his team were so professional and caring. They treated me like I was there own family. Alex Knowledge, Expertise and skills as a Lawyer is among the Best of the Best in his field and I would HIGHLY recommend that if you ever have any issues with any Insurance Company over your Disability issues, please don’t hesitate to seek out Dell Disability and Alex Palamara. They truly are Amazing and caring. Thank God for them. Outstanding Job Alex and Tabitha

G.T.

9 years ago when I had to apply for disability benefits from my private disability policy the insurance company ignored my inquiries until Dell and Schaefer represented me and I have received the benefits without interruption til my policy expired at age 65. I have appreciated not having to deal directly with the insurance company and having attorney Greg Dell and assistant Danielle Lauria handle all communications which included monthly progress reports. I thank them for their efforts on my behalf and highly recommend them to all those in need of disability benefits.

Misty A.

I’m so thankful I chose to reach out to the attorneys at Dell. They have always been quick to respond to any and all questions I have had. The anxiety I had while dealing with Lincoln Financial on my own has decreased immensely since Alex and Danielle took my case. They were able to get my LTD denial reversed and I am so very grateful!

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Survivor's benefits

Answer

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Unum Disability Denial

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Sue Unum

Get Your Unum Disability Application Approved

Prevent a Unum Disability Benefit Denial

Negotiate a Unum Lump-Sum Settlement

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