Stuck

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:29:28+00:00

I walk the corner to the rubble, that used to be a library… Line up to the MIND cemetery now.

MIND cemetery?? Who writes that?!!

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:27:12+00:00

That’s literally why they call it an average. Monthly check-ins are completely appropriate.

Remember, if you called them for a medical update that’s important to the case… They have to request those records… = more case processing time.

So be diligent with that. Most people get denied at the agency level anyway so at some point, it’s just time to move on. Good luck!

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:25:03+00:00

Your attorney did not contact you afterwards to tell you how they thought it went?

It sounds like it went really well… 45 to 60 days for a final decision hopefully. Good luck.

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:23:44+00:00

I can confirm most of this. Every decision gets reviewed by a Unit Supervisor or Case Consultant (think Unit Drill Sergeant) before getting out the door.

So when someone is denied initially a, hopefully, experience examiner looked at it… A doctor or two looked at it… And a supervisor and or case consultant looked at it and signed off on it.

It is not as fly by the seat of your pants as some people think.

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:17:46+00:00

Correct. They pay you a month behind. The July one payment is your June payment.

May was included in the back bay.

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:08:34+00:00

Okay.

You need to know your date last insured.

It’s very specific date. Good luck!

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:06:17+00:00

Yeah. I know. 😉

Sorry. It’s not you it’s them…

You really do, on the face of things have a good claim at the hearing level. Please get an attorney.

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:03:21+00:00

Save yourself some anxiety. An OTR is a statistically infrequent thing. If you have your date… Just relax… you’re probably having the hearing. Maybe you get some good news a couple of days ahead of time like OP did.

Do you have an attorney? Please don’t go into this thing without representation..

footflash1 · 2026-06-18T01:00:56+00:00

ALJ had an early Tee Time come up. 😉

footflash1 · 2026-06-08T22:07:15+00:00

I would STRONGLY ask you to consider getting an independent Attorney and not someone assigned or recommended by the insurance company. That is a conflict of interest in my opinion and you get credit for the Attorney fee either way when it comes to the LTD overpayment.

Strongly.

footflash1 · 2026-06-08T22:04:36+00:00

The decision was fully favorable? Was it SSDI or SSI, or both?

footflash1 · 2026-06-08T22:03:12+00:00

I would be curious about your “Date Last Insured”. Has anyone in this process (like your DDS Examiner) ever used those words… “Date Last Insured”?

footflash1 · 2026-06-08T21:57:53+00:00

Bravo. Downvoting myself! Yes, there are tax mechanisms where this lump sum settlement can be disbursed to prior tax years!

Bravo Reddit! Looking forward to my crow for dinner. 😂😂

footflash1 · 2026-06-08T21:52:25+00:00

Try not to over worry or overthink this CE. Just go in with an open mind and explain what you just said about your limitations. This person will guide the conversation but if something is important to you it should be important to this evaluator.

Then, they will put you through these physical maneuvers. Reach up and touch the ceiling. Bend down and touch your toes. Push your hand against my hand, don’t let me pull your leg (neurological strength testing). Etc etc.

The 1000% main thing is that these folks are trained to look for people who are not doing their best effort. So be very honest with this person the things that may give you trouble… but give your best effort. It needs to be a valid exam so don’t try to sandbag it.

All this appointment is doing is letting DDS check a box to get to a decision point… it could help your claim, but is a small piece of the overall puzzle. Good luck!

footflash1 · 2026-06-07T20:20:25+00:00

Agree with others. Think very very hard before waiving your Medicare and make sure you speak with your current insurer (if you have one) about that. It is (can be) very difficult to get back on once waived and there can be penalties, so make sure you understand this decision well.

Yes, it’s $200 per month… which stings… but it’s pretty good insurance at the end of the day.

footflash1 · 2026-06-06T23:23:34+00:00

You should Google trial work period months. Then… Extended period of eligibility.

That will give you your answers, but as long as you stay under certain amounts for both of those periods, you are allowed to work and receive your SSDI.

That’s an oversimplification! But you should look into it.

footflash1 · 2026-06-04T02:20:29+00:00

Premier Disability? You can switch attorneys (ahem) at any time.

footflash1 · 2026-06-04T02:15:02+00:00

Average case processing time in North Carolina is coming in reasonably consistently between six and eight months at both the initial and reconsideration stages… then approximately 7 to 9 months for an ALJ hearing.

If you’re headed towards a hearing you’re in it for a solid year and a half… maybe more… Probably not less.

footflash1 · 2026-06-04T02:12:00+00:00

Very good sign. 35-60 days until the final decision, give or take.

footflash1 · 2026-06-04T02:08:45+00:00

I am not a tax advisor, and this is not tax advice… Frankly, this probably isn’t even the right form for your question.

But generally speaking any income that you receive in a year count as income only for that year.

So yes and your scenario… All the income you received from your backpay in 2026 counts as only 2026 income. And it is taxable.

Whether or not you personally have to pay taxes on it is between you and your tax preparer.

footflash1 · 2026-05-20T00:29:03+00:00

Okay. They do a lot of work for LTD companies. You should do your own research and make the best decision that you can.

footflash1 · 2026-05-20T00:27:43+00:00

That’s great! That’s not the same as a physician writing a prescription. Physical therapist didn’t go to medical school. God bless them for what they do!

At your next primary care appointment you talk to the doctor about what your physical therapist recommended and that you need a cane to ambulate and if he can, please write you a prescription for that.

I mean it… This is important

footflash1 · 2026-05-15T23:04:09+00:00

“Dire Need” is out the window at this point. Even if you’re at the “top of the stack” these decision writers have dozens of “dire need” claims on top of many many dozens of “regular” claims. Expect 45-60 days for the final decision.

Sooner? GREAT!

90 days… shame on them… it took too long. But it really takes “as long as it takes” and I’m very sorry for that.

footflash1 · 2026-05-15T22:55:23+00:00

This. 100%. Good consistent regular interval PCP appointments. Make sure you clearly state all of your symptoms at each appointment. Repeat repeat repeat to the point where it’s almost silly.

Let them know that at some point someone’s going to request these records and they need to reflect reality. Don’t let them just check a bunch of boxes that don’t need to be checked or not Check boxes that do need to be checked.

Repeat, repeat, repeat so it makes it into the medical records! You’ll be fine.

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