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Going Out On Disability? Here Is The Whole Process, Illustrated.

STD, LTD, elimination periods, carrier review, the SSDI requirement, and what happens if a claim is denied. Free, plain-language, and built by people who work on these claims every day.

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Infographic 1

The Disability Claim Journey

From the first day of leave to resolution. Most people only ever see one stage at a time; here is the whole map.

Leave Begins Day zero STD Pays Weeks to months, per your policy Elimination Period The LTD waiting window written into your policy LTD Application A separate claim, not automatic Carrier Review Records, calls, possible IME Decision Approved Ongoing reviews + SSDI offset applies Denied Appeal rights begin, deadlines start ticking Most group LTD plans also require an SSDI application The plan offsets its payment against what SSDI awards, so the SSDI filing is usually a condition of full benefits
Behind you Active steps Waiting window Where deadlines begin
Infographic 2

STD Vs LTD: Two Different Safety Nets

Short-Term Disability Starts quickly after leave begins Covers weeks to months Usually a simpler application Ends on a date your policy sets, whether or not you have recovered Long-Term Disability Begins after the elimination period Pays a percentage of income A separate claim with its own review Governed by the definition of disability, the most important sentence in your policy
Infographic 3

Own-Occupation Vs Any-Occupation

The definition of disability decides claims. Many group policies quietly switch from the first standard to the second after a set period.

Own-Occupation Can you perform the material duties of YOUR specific job? The more protective standard SWITCH Any-Occupation Can you perform ANY job you are reasonably suited for by training? A much higher bar Many policies pay under own-occ for a set period, then move to any-occ: a predictable second review point
Infographic 4

After You File: The Review, Step By Step

Carrier review is a process, not a verdict. Knowing the normal steps keeps a routine review from feeling like a fight.

You FileApplication + APS Records RequestsKeep your doctor’s office responsive Calls + QuestionnairesTake notes: date, name, what was said Possible IMEAn exam the carrier arranges DecisionApproved or denied in writing Through every step: keep copies of everything, and never omit or soften your medical history
Infographic 5

The SSDI Offset, Visualized

Most group LTD plans require an SSDI application and reduce their payment by what SSDI awards. Your combined income target stays similar; who pays it changes.

Before SSDI Award LTD Plan Pays All After SSDI Award LTD Pays SSDI Pays (the offset portion) Why it matters to you The SSDI filing is usually required by the plan, not optional. Filing it well protects your total benefit. SecureClaim’s SSDI tools handle that filing
General education only, not advice about any specific plan, policy, or situation, and not legal advice. Your plan documents and policy control. Amounts shown are illustrative proportions, not real figures.
If The Answer Is No

Denied? That Is A Decision, Not The Final Word.

The free SecureClaim LTD toolkit analyzes your denial letter, decodes your policy, calculates your deadlines, builds your evidence file, and connects you with an attorney. No fee unless we win your case.

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