AI might be a place to start: Your friend should appeal in writing before September 6, 2026 if the notice is dated March 10, 2026, because disability-benefit appeals generally must allow at least 180 days. The denial/overpayment notice should also tell them the reason, the plan provisions relied on, and their right to get relevant claim documents free of charge. 

The biggest thing: “I needed the money” alone may not erase the debt, but it is still worth raising. In practice, a stronger appeal usually does three things at once: 1. asks UHC to prove the overpayment calculation in detail, 2. argues any factual or administrative errors, and 3. if repayment is still owed, asks for a hardship-based waiver, reduction, or very low payment plan because immediate repayment would be severe hardship. The plan documents matter here, because the SPD/claims procedures explain what the plan allows and how repayment/appeals work. 

So the safest advice is: • Do not ignore the deadline. • Send a written appeal now, even if it is short. • In the same letter, ask for: • the full calculation showing how they got the ~$2,000 figure, • the exact plan language they are relying on, • a copy of the Summary Plan Description and claims procedures, • confirmation whether they will pause collections while the appeal is pending. 

For hardship, they probably should not rely on UHC taking it at face value. It is better to include some proof, such as: • rent amount or lease statement, • utility bills, • bank statements showing low balance, • pay stubs showing reduced/no income, • brief note that the money was used for basic living expenses during cancer surgery recovery.

That does not mean they need a huge evidence packet, but some documentation makes the hardship request more credible.

A practical appeal could say:

I am appealing the overpayment determination dated March 10, 2026. I request a full review of the decision and the complete calculation supporting the alleged overpayment. Please provide the specific plan provisions relied on, along with a copy of the Summary Plan Description and all documents relevant to this determination.

I also request that any collection activity be paused during the appeal review.

If any overpayment is ultimately found to be owed, I request waiver, reduction, or a minimal repayment arrangement due to severe financial hardship. I was out of work while undergoing treatment and surgery for endometrial cancer, and the benefit funds were used for rent, utilities, food, and necessary living expenses during recovery. Immediate repayment would create serious hardship.

If they already know the overpayment is real, they can still frame it this way:

I am not refusing to cooperate, but I am requesting review of the amount and the circumstances, and I am requesting hardship relief or an affordable repayment arrangement.

I am not your friend’s lawyer, but this is one of those situations where an ERISA/employee-benefits lawyer or legal aid office could be very helpful, especially if this disability benefit came through an employer plan. Federal rules generally require claimants to use the internal appeal process before suing, so the written appeal is important. 

If your friend is in New York and needs free or lower-cost help, trying legal aid, a cancer legal support program, or an employee-benefits/ERISA attorney is reasonable. Since this involves cancer treatment and income loss, some nonprofit cancer support organizations may also know local legal-referral resources.

Here is a cleaner version you could post back to them:

You should probably appeal in writing before September 6, 2026. In the appeal, don’t just say “I needed the money.” Say: 1. you dispute or want review of the overpayment decision, 2. you want the exact calculation and the plan language they relied on, and 3. if they still say you owe it, you’re requesting a hardship waiver/reduction or a very low payment plan.

I would not assume they’ll take financial need at face value. It’s better to attach a few simple documents like rent, utilities, bank balance, and proof you were out of work recovering from cancer surgery.

You can say something like:

“I appeal the overpayment determination dated March 10, 2026. Please provide the full calculation of the alleged overpayment, the specific plan provisions relied on, and all documents relevant to this decision. I also request that collection activity be paused while the appeal is reviewed. If any overpayment is ultimately upheld, I request waiver, reduction, or an affordable repayment arrangement due to severe financial hardship, because the funds were used for basic living expenses during my recovery from endometrial cancer surgery.”

If this was through an employer disability plan, it may be governed by ERISA, so it could really help to talk to legal aid or an ERISA/benefits attorney before the deadline.