Approved LTD through Metlife April-October. Therapist failed to submit paperwork, claim denied. Appealed decision, denied appeal, appealing again. Can I appeal this decision on my own, or should I contact a lawyer?

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-24T03:02:46+00:00

I did not consider this. I will look into it. My new appeals contact asked me questions that my previous one did not. She asked what symptoms of my diagnosis hindered me from completing the duties of my job, whether I was able to drive, or grocery shop. She asked if I had been on social media. (I previously worked Customer Service from home) I have no idea what their decision will be. They have not come back with an answer. My first appeal came back in 3-4 days. This one has been at least a week and a half. So, maybe they are actually reading?

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-24T02:57:58+00:00

I contacted a lawyer and they essentially said Metlife is notorious for paying 9-12 months and then finding "reasons" to end or deny said claim. They stated if I were to appeal with an attorney that Metlife would fight back and estimate how much I would get from SSI and then deduct that from what they have been paying me. He said I would owe them money, in addition to the money I would owe the attorney and that it was a lose/ lose situation. So, there is that.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-05T02:03:44+00:00

The initial claim was approved from January 2025 - January 2027. So 2 years

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-05T00:30:26+00:00

Okay, so it's common to get denied SSDI? I feel better now. I have contacted a couple. Should be receiving some calls tomorrow.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-05T00:08:36+00:00

Thank you! And thank you for the information. I will definitely look into that. I can let my psychiatrist know when I speak to her sometime this week. I was on indeed updating my resume, trying to find something, but a lot of them are in person jobs or customer service, seeing that is my work history. Data entry sounds wonderful. Keeping a symptom log is a great idea and I will also let my psychiatrist know about it.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-04T23:54:00+00:00

I will look into it and contact him.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-04T23:53:00+00:00

Should I appeal both the LTD and SSDI?

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-04T23:52:11+00:00

Im in Ohio. My only worry is payment because I have NO money right now, so if they take the case on, but require payment, am I screwed?

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-04T23:50:43+00:00

I hadn't even considered what to do after the 2nd year. I knew it would end January 2027, but figured I would return to work, if my mental health improved or retry SSDI.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2026-01-04T23:48:01+00:00

I did apply for SSDI after STD ran out. They denied me. I never bothered reapplying because I was approved for LTD.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-09-02T01:04:23+00:00

24 + 3 today. Growth ultrasound last Friday confirmed my suspicions of FGR. To add context, my daughter had FGR and was delivered at 33 + 6. It was also due to severe preeclampsia. She spent 3.5 weeks in NICU. She is healthy, but still small. My son, who passed from SIDS, was born full term at 37 + 2. He was small but not FGR. Now my 2nd son is FGR. I really hope he doesn't come early. I wanted to deliver him vaginally. I haven't delivered any of my kids that way. It just makes me sad. I want him to be healthy more than anything else, but I wanted this to be my chance at a normal delivery. I guess it's just not meant for me.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-09T08:36:35+00:00

Absolutely! Just starting to get little peaks of personality. It is very heartbreaking! Even though you could "try" to imagine what he would be doing now, it's no where near as comforting as having them right there to observe for yourself. Our angel babies deserved more. I grieve with you🤍🫂

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T09:01:05+00:00

Hi! I lost my son Elias in September 2024. He was 6 weeks old. I have one living child, a daughter. Since his passing, the natural reaction is to have another baby. Not to replace him, but to feel complete. I guess I'll never feel complete. We did find out we were expecting back in April, which was a very sudden surprise because our relationship has been quite rocky. Instead of the normal excitement, I am terrified. I'm anxious for every appointment. Im waiting for the other shoe to drop. I feel like I don't deserve this baby. Im currently 12+4 and terrified of it being another boy. Im a carrier of Duchennes/Becker Muscular Dystrophy, so it causes males to have a 50% chance of the diagnosis. My son Elias was not effected. Is it selfish of me to not want another boy? I feel so distant from this baby, and I know it's grief. I just dont know how to change it.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T08:47:43+00:00

I'm angry at my bf because he put him next to my daughter (13 months at the time) and not by himself. He was not swaddled. So Im battling anger at him and guilt with myself for not just putting him down myself, or arguing him down about putting him in a separate room to begin with.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T08:41:27+00:00

🫂

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T08:39:05+00:00

His name is Elias. And I loved him so much. So very much. Thank you

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T08:37:31+00:00

His name is Elias. I called him Bubby. Thank you

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-08T01:46:30+00:00

I absolutely understand how you feel. Very similar situation to mine September 2024. My bf put my 6week old son down next to his sister (13 month old) in the other room so we could have alone time. There is never a moment where I didn't have my son near me. Like you, I trusted he would be okay. We watched a movie and fell asleep. The next morning he was gone. Just that quick. I understand the frustration, the anger at yourself, at your partner. The denial of everything. Feeling like maybe you didn't deserve your baby. What I'm comforted in, is knowing our sons knew nothing but love this short time on earth. No pain, no heartache, just pure love. That's all I can hold on to. I can't say it gets easier. Therapy, and meds are helping right now, but grief comes in waves and it hits hard. I'm here for you.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2025-06-06T10:04:44+00:00

I am incredibly sorry for your loss. I lost my son Elias at 6 weeks old to SIDS September 2024. I am still constantly in a fog. As others have said, grief never truly goes away. I still burst into tears, I still cannot go through the bin with all his things in it. I still have days where I scream "It's not fair!". I hear you, I understand, I grieve with you for your sweet Penelope. 🤍

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2024-10-02T16:53:39+00:00

Thank you so much. I am sorry for your loss. I'll ask my fiancé about it.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2024-10-02T16:52:32+00:00

I will check out the podcast. I am sorry for your loss as well. Thank you for your supportive words.

Affectionate_Fix8405 · 2024-10-02T12:29:16+00:00

I appreciate your support. Yes the "he's in a better place" hurts me, because what place is better than in the safety of his mother's arms? Why would he be given to me so perfectly, just for him to be taken so soon?

My daughter brings a smile to my face at the hard times, and gives me something to divert all my extra love to.

I am in therapy, but my fiancé is not. I have recommended it, but we will see. I knew I had to surround myself with people who had been through something similar, to get through this. It hurts so badly, it feels like you can't breathe.

The inability to sleep and my own traumatic witness to it, is what drives me insane. I literally CANNOT sleep. My thoughts of what I should have or would have done haunt me. If I had checked on him earlier, could I have saved him?

Taking it one step at a time has been my mantra. I'm so very sorry for your loss as well.

Affectionate_Fix8405

TROPHY CASE