Lifestyle

6 Ways to Win Your Long-Term Disability Claim or Appeal

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2023

Anyone who applies for long-term disability insurance is required to prove that they are unable to work due to their conditions. Sometimes, when submitting a claim, the medical records and statements provided may not be sufficient. If your long-term disability benefits claim was denied, you have the right to appeal. However, it is a good idea to create an ironclad claim before submission to avoid the need to appeal completely. Here are our top tips for winning an LTD claim or appeal.

Hire A Lawyer

Disability insurance is a complex field that can be difficult for even the most educated person to navigate. Working with an attorney who has experience with disability insurance policies and laws is the best way to effect a positive outcome. A lawyer will be able to help with your own occupation disability insurance and all occupation claims or appeals with equal finesse.

Make Sure You Have Objective Evidence

LTD claims that are submitted with strong objective medical evidence are more likely to be approved. An insurance provider will have a hard time denying objective advice from a reputable medical professional, even if they have their own doctor perform an evaluation. Gather clinical statements, lab tests, and the results of your functional capacity evaluations prior to submitting a claim or an appeal.

Get A Copy of Your Claim

If your claim has been denied and you plan to appeal, make sure you have a copy of your original claim. The claim file will have all communications between you and the insurance provider, copies of submitted forms and reports, and, the guidelines used to deny the claim. Knowing why your claim was denied will help you cure those problems upon appeal.

Prepare a Vocational Assessment

This assessment will provide thorough detail as to why your conditions prevent you from remaining gainfully employed. This assessment may include a list of duties and how your conditions prevent you from completing those duties. Depending on the policy type, the assessment will also determine if you are qualified to work in a different occupation while suffering from a disability.

Hire Your Own Experts

When filing a claim or an appeal for long-term disability benefits, assessments play a critical role. The insurance company will always have its own evaluators, but you have the right to hire your own. Have a reputable medical professional perform a functional capacity evaluation for consideration. Mental health is another important aspect to be assessed. You can also have a trained medical provider perform a neuropsychological evaluation for both cognitive and mental health changes.

Respond to the Denial

It is important to review the reasons your claim was denied and remedy those issues. The most common issues are a lack of medical evidence, poor or no treatment for the condition, and no evidence that there are severe symptoms. Being able to work with certain accommodations and actually having your condition improve are other common reasons for the denial. Respond to each denial reason provided to avoid facing an appeal denial.

Get The Benefits You Deserve

With the right planning and a savvy attorney, getting approval for LTD benefits will be a breeze. For those who are facing an appeal, working with a lawyer and following the suggestions above will put you on the path to success.

Author Bio: Heather Blacksmith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and works at a finance firm based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in small business finance, credit, law, and insurance. When she is not working, she spends her time in her favorite coffee shop writing on various finance-related topics. Other than that, she enjoys adult coloring books, recycling, and running.

Lifestyle

Kelli Lewis and Her Inspiration Behind KelliWorks

Published

23 mins ago

March 29, 2026

Michelle Langton

Kelli Lewis has made a name for herself through her virtual accounting firm KelliWorks which specializes in dealing with the finances of small and mid-sized businesses. The firm was established, keeping in mind the need for expert and technology-driven accounting services to cater mainly to small and mid-sized businesses. At a time when these small and mid-sized business owners were struggling with the inconsistencies in their accounting work, bookkeeping, and payroll management, Kelli came up with her firm that provided bookkeeping, financial strategy consulting, helping businesses to deal with their finances and giving solutions using technology, and payroll management.

Kelli uses her experience as a small business expert to help businesses still stuck with the conventional methods of accounting. Her firm, KelliWorks is remote and leverages the latest accounting technology and helps these small and mid-sized businesses find accurate and scalable solutions.

Kelli Lewis’ Inspirational Story in Being a Successful Small Business Expert

Born on April 5, 1985, in Orange, New Jersey, Kelli Lewis does not have any formal education, nor has she graduated from an educational institution. Kelli’s early years were spent on her mother’s recovery from a coma after a car accident. It was during that time while spending time with her mother at her rehabilitation, Kelli understood what it meant to be adaptable and perseverant. That, later on, went on to become the qualities she used in her business approach towards entrepreneurs. She built her career through hands-on experiences, an understanding of business operations and financial management, and mentorship.

Kelli’s story is inspiring because despite not having a formal degree, her business KelliWorks was created to encourage entrepreneurs to find their strength and build a team that compliments their workforce. Kelli’s understanding of how to sustain a business, future-proof business models, and implement financial safeguards have helped her guide businesses to navigate their obstacles.

She attributes her success at her business to the values she learned while growing up. She uses the experience gained through back-office management, business consulting, and accounting. That enabled her to understand the need to get rid of outdated accounting systems and come up with a modern one that was technology-based.

Her virtual accounting firm, KelliWorks offers a range of business and accounting consultations, and goes with the catchphrase, “KelliWorks, so you don’t have to”. They include:

● Bookkeeping and Payroll Management – This ensures accurate financial records and smooth payroll operations.

● Business Process Optimization – Helps to implement automated systems that will improve forecasting and financial decision making.

● Financial Strategy and Planning – Assists businesses with budgeting and cash flow efficiency. It reduces reliance on manual processes.

● Technology Integration – It utilizes cloud-based accounting software and financial tools to streamline business operations.

KelliWorks is dedicated to lessening the financial stress of small and mid-sized businesses by giving them support and proper financial guidance. The entrepreneurs are informed about the best practices they can adopt, the long-term successful financial strategies, and technology solutions. Their commitment to stay at the forefront of small business financial consulting is commendable. The firm deals with the financial aspects of the businesses and thereby helps the entrepreneurs concentrate on their business growth.

Running a successful business and managing a family can be a challenge. Kelli Lewis balances her family life with her work life by incorporating the systems that allow her business to function efficiently and effectively. Her boundaries between work and family are well-defined. Kelli sets a good example to those who are business-minded on how to cope with the pressures of being competitive and flexible when it comes to combining her personal and work lives together.