866 OTP Law1 (Toll Free)
866-687-5291

Practice Areas

Library

Social Security Disability

view all

Testimonials

"I wanted expert legal advice and I certainly got it!"

"Oxner Thomas Permar has a well-known reputation for fighting fair and winning cases.  We were well-prepared by our attorney, and we were given thorough guidance and options."

"I think of everyone involved on my case at OTP as friends.  You all always had a warm greeting  and a smile for me and you took a big interest in my case."

"Without my attorney's help, I would have been hung out to dry.  He looked out for me!"

"I could not be more pleased with the outcome of my case!  Amy Berry and Amy Gallimore are great communicators.  They are super friendly and professional."

"Everyone on the team was really personable and professional."

"Count me as 100% satisfied.  Kristin Packard is superb and Shelby Duncan is outstanding."

"The quick response and action by Justin Wraight when my case came to a critical point was impressive."

"I didn't have to deal with a bunch of legal jargon.  You explained it all to me so I could understand what was going on, and I appreciate that."

"Everybody was totally straight forward with me.  I didn't feel like I was just paperwork to them."

more

Blog Category:

Social Security Disability

11/17/2008
justin wraight
Comments (0)

Largest Private Disability Insurer Found Fraudulent

Ever wonder why it often takes over two years before claimants are approved for Social Security Disability benefits?  An October 23, 2008 New York Times article is shedding some light on the issue.  The story is about a Federal court case in Boston.  The nation's largest private disability insurer, Unum, has been found guilty of fraud because the company asks people who qualify for their private disability benefits under Unum's policies to apply for Social Security Disability benefits - even if the claimants have no chance of qualifying!
Private companies like Unum and Cigna make this requirement with the hope that the federal government will pick up their tabs.  Most private policies have language that gives these companies a dollar for dollar credit against Social Security disability benefits.  For example: If Unum owes a disabled policy holder $1300 per month, but that same individual begins to collect $1000 a month in Social Security disability benefits, then Cigna will only have to pay $300 per month to their policy holder.  I have seen in the past where these private companies will actually send their policy holder a bill if they learn someone collected a check for past due disability benefits.  The companies also benefit from forcing the disabled to apply for Social Security disability because it allows them to lower their reserves (increase their profits) while their beneficiaries are waiting for decisions from the Social Security Administration.
There are many reasons why it takes so long to navigate the Social Security disability process (like Social Security's limited funding and staffing).  However, delays are worsened when large insurance companies insist on trying to pass off their liabilities onto the Federal government.  Let's hope the government sticks to its guns on this issue and works hard to prevent obviously able-bodied applicants from clogging up the system.



Bookmark and Share


There are no comments.

Post a comment

Post a Comment to "Largest Private Disability Insurer Found Fraudulent"

To reply to this message, enter your reply in the box labeled "Message", hit "Post Message."

Username:*

Password:*

Register for an account

Message:

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.

For security purposes, please enter the graphic text in the box below: [hit F5 if you can not read the text]

Free Answers

Offices

OTP - Greensboro
1155 Revolution Mill Drive,
Studio 4
Greensboro, NC 27405
Phone: 336-274-4494
Fax: 336-271-6769
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Winston-Salem
110 Oakwood Drive, Suite 420
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336-274-4494
Fax: 336-631-5225
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Burlington
409 Alamance Road, Suite C
Burlington, NC 27215
Phone: 336-226-5925
Fax: 336-226-4492
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Asheboro
904 South Cox Street
Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: 336-633-4496
Fax: 336-633-3394
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Raleigh
3700 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 350
Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: 919-573-5241
Fax: 919-785-2239
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Fayetteville
4200 Morganton Road, Suite 200-11
Fayetteville, NC 28314
Phone: 910-764-3363
Fax: 910-764-3364
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Charlotte
550 S. Caldwell Street, Suite 1800,
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-547-1617
Fax: 704-574-1819
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Hickory
101 Government Avenue SW
Hickory, NC 28601
Phone: 828-322-1271
Fax: 828-322-1643
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

OTP - Wilmington
1213 Culbreth Drive,
Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone: 910-509-7274
Toll Free: 1-866-OTP-Law1

FAQs

Social Security Disability

I was granted disability benefits at the hearing level, but I was wondering how long it will take for me to get a check.  My lawyer says I won, but I would like to know more about the timing.

I have a terminal illness and was told that I can get Social Security benefits.  Is this correct?

Will I get more money if my disability gets worse?  Should I reapply at that time?

more