If you develop a physical or mental illness/ injury that prevents you from performing your job duties, you may be eligible for disability benefits. You can receive a percentage of your income for a particular period, allowing you to recover comfortably.
However, your claim may be denied, which can be devastating. If this happens to you, consider doing this:
Find out why your claim was denied
If your claim is denied, stay calm and find out the reason behind it. Do not panic, as this may lead to costly mistakes. Carefully read the denial letter to determine how you can resolve it.
According to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a plan administrator must send a denial notice in writing, and the notice must include the reason for the denial and a reference to the specific plan provisions on which the denial is based, among other crucial information. These two details can help you know the best way forward.
If your letter does not include the reason for the denial, you need to contact the plan administrator, as this may be unlawful.
Provide additional information
If your claim is denied due to inadequate details, gather what’s needed and submit it. If the plan administrator claims you are not eligible for disability benefits, submit additional evidence you want them to consider. Note that you usually need to do this within 180 days — some older plans have shorter time periods.
Appealing a disability claim denial can be complicated. You need to obtain every crucial bit of information that can support your claim without missing your deadline. Consider consulting an attorney to learn more about your case and, in turn, protect your rights.