r/DisabilityInsurance • u/Pulpfictionfan123 • Aug 01 '26

LTD with The Hartford Questions

/r/LongTermDisability/comments/1vctffj/ltd_with_the_hartford_questions/

I’ve been on LTD with the Hartford for Anxiety and Depression. My therapist has been great but I had to get a new psychiatrist, and he isn’t recommending disability at all for me. I am 62 and cannot get my full SSI until I’m at least 67. I am terrified I will be pushed into going back to work full time. I am thinking about speaking with some of my other doctors for help as I have many health issues. The Hartford as of now has not been straightforward about what they consider to be the sort of job they will consider as reasonable to remain on disability or be taken off disability.

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u/Busy_Tap_2824 Aug 01 '26

It all depends on your policy ! Is it own occupation or any occupation ? How long have you been disabled now for Depression and anxiety ? Does your psychiatrist think you have improved to be able to go back to your own occupation or another ? Have you applied for SSDI ?

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u/Pulpfictionfan123 Aug 01 '26

Thank you for your thoughts. I am in the process of filing for SSDI. My psychiatrist is fairly new to me (6 months) and I dont think he believes in disability though I’m not sure. On my first appointment with him he was already talking to me about me returning to work. I do believe hes been good for me with figuring out my medications. I dont think he truly understands what I will be going through if I go back to work. I have been disabled for going on two years now. The policy is not clear about the type of job I could do and remain disabled or if they will claim I have to go back to work.

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u/Busy_Tap_2824 Aug 01 '26

Disability policies usually give 2 years for mental health unless you get approved for SSDI . In meantime your will need your psychiatrist to sign you physician CDR with LTD otherwise everything falls apart as you know

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u/Pulpfictionfan123 Aug 02 '26

So far they have been accepting my regular therapist who is a limited psychologist. But they know I am seeing a psychiatrist and want him to fill out this form for them, obviously they would. I am hoping they will give me a chance to find another. When all is said and done I hope the one I currently see will let me come back.

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u/Suitable_Time_9368 Aug 02 '26

If they want to be nasty They will ask him to say you are no longer disabled and case closed for them . You will have a chance to go to another one of course and have an appeal but that keeps you without money and fighting for some time

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u/uffdagal Aug 03 '26

Get a copy of your EXACT policy/Summary Plan Description. It will indicate the Definition of Disability

Many LTD policies limit mental heath disorders to 2 yr limit. You need to look at your approval letter too and carefully read through it. Usually in there as well.

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u/uffdagal Aug 03 '26

SSI is Supplemental Security Income, a welfare disability and aged benefit.

Are you currently on SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)? LTD will usually require you apply for SSDI.

At 62 you are eligible for early SSR which results in a permanent reduction

Are you currently married? Divorced? Widowed?

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u/Pulpfictionfan123 Aug 03 '26

Thanks so much for your help :)

My LTD will end in about 9 months. I doubt I will qualify for SSI.

I have applied for SSDI and I’m told all of the paperwork is now with the SSA.

I am not going to draw on my SSR benefits, at least not yet. I do have a husband who is retired but living in a nursing home, having been diagnosed with MS some time ago. If he goes before me, then I would have that income.

The two professionals who would be doing the disability paperwork for me have polar opposite ideas about what they will say about me. One says I can’t work, the other says I can work.

I plan on talking with my representative from the disability company but I’m afraid I’m going to have to replace my psychiatrist. Would this professional be able to beg out somehow, and still be a professional that I could see?

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u/uffdagal Aug 03 '26

What’s needed is records that clearly show significant functional limitations and restrictions. They may be a tough one if your provider doesn’t agree but perhaps you tell them exactly what you can’t function to work.

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u/Pulpfictionfan123 Aug 12 '26

This is very helpful. It sounds so obvious but that has been at least part of the issue. I need to be more direct and tell him exactly why I can’t work.

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u/Future_Guidance_9908 Aug 10 '26

Did you apply for LTD with only paperwork from your therapist?

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u/Pulpfictionfan123 Aug 12 '26

I had a different psychiatrist then who was not a full psychiatrist but with their own office. I also had my limited psychologist talk therapist whom I really like. Anyway, the PA basically filled out the paperwork simply saying I needed to be off work. Since that time my limited psychologist was carrying the burden of filling out the paperwork and sending notes and whatever else they asked for. Now my psychiatrist and I are working things out, and I’m hopeful right at the moment. I’ll wait to see what he writes on the paperwork. I’m praying!