Should I File for SSDI, Terminated from Job on Approved LTD

[aimeeKY]

Hello- I am new and hope to get some answers or advise. Company I worked for in OH and I live in KY.

Brief background: 34 yr old, during pregnancy with 2nd child I developed heart failure when I was 19wks. Ejection fraction was 20-25% and I had a left bundle branch blockage. Last date of work was 1/15/09. Delivered daughter on 4/8/09. An echocardiogram was done 1 wk later and showed ejection fraction in the 15-20% range. A bi-ventricular defribullator/pacemaker was implanted on 7/16/09. My STD ended on 7/13/09. I was approved for LTD by our 3rd party admin (Cigna) effective 7/14/09. I have yet to be released back to work. On 9/3/09, I was contacted by our HR dept and advised I was terminated as of 9/2/09 since I was approved for LTD and Cigna had indicated my return to work date was the year 2040 (when I turn 65). As long as I continue to be approved for LTD, I will pay employee rates for my COBRA for 5 yrs and receive LTD payments until I am 65. Cigna offers a service to assist you in filing for SSDI. I was told by someone who is familar with SSDI issues that there is a list of medical conditions which automatically qualify you as disabled and he said he believes with my ejection fraction, the ICD device and heart failure that I will qualify.

I am struggling with the idea of being disabled at the age of 34. This condition I developed is extremely rare and some people do recover but many do not. I was pushing my heart drs to let me go to work for 10hrs a week and they were very hesitant and wanted to wait until the end of Sept to decided. I was afraid I would loose my benefits for our family if I didn't go back, not realizing since I was approved for LTD they would continue. I am going to talk with my dr again to let her know what has happened with being terminated and such. I want to do what is best for my family and for myself b/c I need to have time to recover and if that means being on SSDI, then that is what I will do b/c I want to be around for my children.

Should I file for SSDI? Does anyone know of this list my friend was talking about? Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I am extremely overwhelmed with all of this not to mention having an almost 5 month old and 2 1/2 yr old.

Thank you!!!

[Mr. Knowitall]

The list of automatically qualifying conditions is maintained here.

If maintaining your COBRA eligibility is important, make sure that your qualifying for SSDI won't affect your continued eligibility for COBRA and, if applicable, for the difference between your SSDI payment and your LTD payment. You should also be prepared for the possibility that your LTD carrier will claim your back pay pursuant to the terms of your contract.