How Long Does an Employer Have to Hold a Job for Someone on Short-Term Disability?
When an employee experiences a medical condition that requires time away from work, short-term disability (STD) insurance can provide critical financial support. […]
Articles
Updates on the latest in benefits news and practical pointers for your benefits-related issues.
6th Circ. Ruling Prevents Disability Insurer Overreach
Most disability insurance policies distinguish between disabilities that are due to medical conditions and those that result from behavioral health disorders. For the latter category, benefit payments are typically limited to a maximum of 24 months, while payments for disabilities resulting from medical conditions can continue until the claimant reaches Social Security retirement age. […]
Understanding the Crucial Role of Occupation Assessments in Disability
When someone files a disability insurance claim, his or her ability to continue working is the crux of the matter. Disability insurance provides financial support when illness or injury prevents someone from performing his or her job. […]
How to Secure Disability Benefits for Insomnia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Insomnia can be more than just an occasional sleepless night—it can become a debilitating condition that interferes with your ability to work and live fully. When insomnia prevents you from performing your job, qualifying for disability benefits might seem like a solution, but the process can be challenging. […]
Understanding Evidence of Insurability in Group Life Insurance: Employer Obligations and Employee Rights
Unlike individual life insurance, which requires rigorous underwriting to assess risk, group life insurance from employers does not require underwriting. Employers offering group life insurance allow new employees to enroll immediately without providing evidence of insurability (EOI). The reasoning is that a new employee is likely to be healthy, and the risk of adverse selection is low. […]
2 Rulings Show How Courts Assess Health Benefit Denials
There have been several important recent developments in how courts are assessing health benefit claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. In Dwyer v. United Healthcare Insurance Co.,[1] a case involving a claim for residential behavior health treatment for an eating disorder, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Sept. […]
Can I Pursue Disability Benefits While Also Alleging Disability Discrimination?
While it is not completely impossible to simultaneously seek disability insurance benefits while also alleging disability discrimination, doing so is fraught with peril for the reasons discussed below. […]
Why Are Mental Health Disability Claims Denied More Often? Insights from Mark DeBofsky on Main & Wall
Mental health disability claims are denied far more frequently than physical disability claims, creating serious challenges for individuals seeking benefits. In a recent interview on Main & Wall, disability benefits attorney Mark DeBofsky shared his thoughts on why this disparity exists and what can be done about it. Drawing from his expertise, including his appointment by Illinois […]
A Claimant’s Guide to Disability Insurance for Vision Impairments
While there are many different medical conditions that can prevent an individual from working, one of the more significant reasons is their reduced ability to see. […]
Pension Annuitization – De-Risking or Added Risk?
Defined benefit (DB) pension plans used to be the prevalent form of retirement benefit offered by American employers to their employees. […]
How to Request Your ERISA Plan Documents: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was established in 1974 to protect employees’ rights to their benefits and provide transparency regarding their employee benefit plans. One of the key rights under ERISA is access to plan documents that outline the rules, benefits, and administration of your employer-sponsored retirement or health plan. […]