Does the COVID-19 Stimulus Count as an Offset to LTD Benefits?
Lately we have had a common question continually arise from our clients and even potential clients. As everyone on claim and receiving disability insurance benefits knows (or has unfortunately learned while on claim), insurance companies reduce the amount of money they pay each month if the claimant is receiving certain other source of income. Most often, insurance companies are able to reduce the amount of money they pay due to the claimant receiving Social Security Disability Income Benefits.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting the United States and World and its great impact on the economy, Congress has responded with a $2 trillion dollar stimulus package, which is formally known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy Security (CARES) Act.
With this Act, the federal government will pay $1,200 to individual taxpayers ($2,400 for co-filing married couples), with an additional $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17, with certain limitations or reductions depending on your income (For more specific information regarding the amounts to be paid, see recent news articles on the subject or contact your local government representative).
It has been stated that those receiving disability insurance benefits are eligible to receive Stimulus Funds. As such, many individuals currently on claim will be receiving additional monies from the Federal Government in the near future.
This has left many people asking: Will the Stimulus Funds be an Offset to my Disability Insurance Claim?
In all likelihood, the answer is NO.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we have reviewed multiple policies with multiple insurance companies. Most policies require that the other income benefits you receive must be as a result of your Disability or the Sickness or Injury that caused your Disability. In policies with this or similar language, the argument can be made that the Stimulus Money is not being paid due to your Disability and thus cannot be an offset.
Meanwhile, other policies are written with vague language whereby an insurance company could potentially make the argument that the Stimulus Money could be considered “other income benefits.”
For instance, Hartford’s policies often state that other income benefits include “The Amount of any temporary and permanent benefits to which you are entitled under any:
- workers’ compensation law;
- occupational disease law;
- unemployment compensation law;
- compulsory benefit act or law;
- other act or law of like intent.”
While an argument could be made that the Stimulus Money could fall under some of those subsections, we do not believe that any insurance company will attempt to make the argument that this Stimulus Money should be an offset.
The main reason we are fairly confident that the Stimulus Money will not be an offset (if they could even make the argument that it should be) is that the insurance companies would be creating a Public Relations Nightmare. It would look terrible if insurance companies attempted this as they would then in effect be the beneficiaries of this Congressional Act. Insurance companies would essentially be stealing money out of the pockets of those who Congress intended to receive money.
Once word leaked that this was occurring (and you can be assured that Dell & Schaefer would get this to every major news outlets as well as Congressional Representatives), Congress, the Media and our Firm would then come down hard on the industry which would impact its business and stock value. Thankfully, we believe that the insurance companies do not have any intent to offset this money and claimants should be assured that they should be able to keep every Stimulus dollar received.
However, should your disability insurance provider attempt to offset your Stimulus Funds, please contact us immediately as we would love to fight each and every insurance company that attempts to do so.
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Lincoln Financial
Uses every dirty trick in the book
It’s next to impossible to get $ out of them without a lawyer. They use plenty of intimidation and unfair tactics. They don’t want to pay. And yet, their CEO made 13 m... read more >
Unum
Unum is evil
On 11/3/2021 I got shot by my boyfriend and my spinalcord got hit, paralyzing me from the neck down and accepting Unum benefits was the worst decision I ever made. I sued ... read more >
Lincoln Financial
Every month I get paid on a different date
I will start by saying that my experience is not as horrible as others, like the folks who have valid claims but get nothing from Lincoln. I feel for you and hope to god y... read more >
MetLife
They will do anything to not approve your claim
MetLife’s handling of my short-term disability claim has been incredibly frustrating and stressful. I followed all the necessary steps prior to my surgery, providing the... read more >
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Sedgwick
Don't trust them, they like to play games
They suck the life out of people that need help. They falsely advertise for helping people that they care. Sorry to tell you it's all about money, they do not care for any... read more >
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This company sucks when it comes to disability claims. They are slow at processing stuff, then they always say they didn't recieve the doctors information. You spend your ... read more >
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Our goal is to get your application for disability insurance benefits approved. Applying for disability insurance benefits can be a difficult process and the information you provide is critical. Most disability insurance companies look at your application in hopes of finding a reason to deny your claim. Your disability company will ask you to complete numerous forms, interview you, request lots of information, speak with your doctors and possibly request to have you examined by their hired gun doctor.
Through our experience of having helped thousands of disability insurance claimants, our disability insurance lawyers will guide you through the entire application process and give you the best chance to get your disability claim approved the first time.
Submit A Strong Appeal Package
If your disability insurance benefits have been wrongfully denied, then our disability insurance lawyers know exactly what it takes to get your disability claim approved. You only get once chance to submit an Appeal, therefore every piece of evidence that will support your disability claim must be included. The goal is to win your disability benefits at the Appeal level, but while preparing your Appeal you must consider how a federal judge will review your disability claim if your benefit denial is upheld.
Preparing a strong disability appeal package is an art that requires you to understand how the courts interpret your disability policy language, ERISA regulations / laws, and how to strategically present evidence in support of your definition of disability. We encourage you to contact any of our long-term disability attorneys for a free immediate review of your disability denial.
Sue Your Disability Company
98% of the disability insurance lawsuits filed by our law firm have resulted in either the payment of benefits or a lump-sum settlement agreement. Our disability insurance attorneys have filed ERISA governed and private policy long term disability insurance lawsuits against every major disability insurance company in state and federal courts nationwide and we love fighting for the little guy against the multi-billion dollar insurance company giants.
We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and we would like the opportunity to provide you with a free review of your disability benefit denial. There are many complex factors in a disability benefit lawsuit and the legal battle to win long term disability benefits can be fierce.
Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial
Approval of long-term disability is a continuous process as every disability insurance company will evaluate your eligibility for benefits on a monthly basis. You can never let your guard down and assume that your disability company will continue to pay your benefits for as long as you think you need them.
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Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement
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Questions About Hiring Us
Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?
We are disability insurance attorneys that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.
Our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement in more than 98% of our cases. Our disability insurance lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.
We offer disability insurance attorney representation nationwide and we welcome you to contact any of our LTD lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 900 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.
Who do you help?
Our disability insurance attorneys help individuals that have either purchased a long term disability insurance policy from an insurance company or obtained short or long term disability insurance coverage as a benefit from their employer. We have helped individuals in almost every type of occupation with monthly disability benefit payments ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.
Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.
A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.
Do you work in my state?
Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability insurance lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.
What are your fees?
Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.
The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.
In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.
Do I have to come to your office to work with your law firm?
No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, or video conferencing sessions. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.
How can I contact you?
When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability insurance attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.