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Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Appealing Your Long-Term Disability Claim

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Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Appealing Your Long-Term Disability Claim

Long-term disability insurance is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a prolonged illness or injury. However, navigating the claims process can be challenging, and many claimants find their initial claims denied. If you find yourself in this position, don t panic; appealing the decision is possible. 

To help you successfully appeal your long-term disability claim, we ve compiled a list of the top 10 mistakes to avoid.

Failing To Understand The Reason For Denial

Before you begin the process of a long term disability appeal, it s crucial to understand the reason your claim was denied. 

Review your denial letter carefully and take note of any specific reasons or evidence cited. This information will be invaluable when crafting your appeal.

Missing Deadlines

The appeals process comes with strict deadlines. Failing to submit your appeal within the required timeframe can result in the permanent denial of your claim. 

Familiarize yourself with these deadlines and ensure that all necessary documentation is submitted on time.

Not Seeking Legal Assistance

While it is possible to navigate the appeals process on your own, it is highly recommended to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney who specializes in long-term disability claims. 

They can help you understand the process, gather the necessary evidence, and advocate on your behalf.

Providing Insufficient Medical Evidence

One of the most common reasons for long-term disability claim denials is a lack of medical evidence. 

To strengthen your appeal, you ll need to provide thorough documentation of your condition, including medical records, diagnostic tests, and letters from your treating physicians.

Ignoring The Importance Of Treating Physicians Opinions

The opinions of your treating physicians are vital to the success of your appeal. Be sure to involve them in the process, and request detailed letters that outline the severity of your condition, your limitations, and the reasons why you are unable to work.

Failing To Demonstrate Compliance With Treatment Plans

Insurance companies may deny claims if they believe the claimant is not following their prescribed treatment plan. 

To avoid this, ensure that you are following your doctors recommendations and maintaining accurate records of your appointments, medications, and other treatments.

Overlooking Non-Medical Evidence

While medical evidence is crucial to your appeal, don t forget about the importance of non-medical evidence. This may include statements from family members, friends, or coworkers who can attest to the impact of your disability on your daily life and ability to work.

Relying Solely On Social Security Disability (SSD) Approval

Receiving approval for SSD benefits is not a guarantee that your long-term disability claim will also be approved. 

The criteria and evaluation process for each program can differ. Treat your long-term disability appeal as a separate case, and ensure you provide all the necessary documentation and evidence.

Failing To Review The Specific Language

Long-term disability policies can vary significantly in terms of coverage, definitions, and requirements. 

Familiarize yourself with the specific language of your policy to ensure that you understand the criteria you must meet to be considered disabled and to avoid any misunderstandings during the appeals process.

Not Preparing For The Possibility Of A Second Appeal

In some cases, your initial appeal may not be successful. If this occurs, it s essential to be prepared for the possibility of a second appeal or even litigation. 

Consult with your attorney to determine the best course of action and any additional steps you may need to take.

Conclusion

Appealing a long-term disability claim can be a complex and overwhelming process. By avoiding these common mistakes and seeking the guidance of an experienced attorney, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome. Remember, knowledge is power, and being well-prepared can make all the difference in securing the financial assistance you need during a difficult time in your life. 

Stay proactive, be persistent, and don t lose hope. With the right approach and support, you can successfully navigate the appeals process and get the long-term disability benefits you deserve.

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7 Things Employers Want To Find Out During Job Interviews
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7 Things Employers Want To Find Out During Job Interviews

The job interview is an essential part of the screening process for employers. It helps employers dig deep beyond the resume to find out about 1) your experience and skills for the job, 2) whether you’re a good fit for its workplace culture, and 3) your career goals and outlook to determine how dedicated and loyal you’ll be to the job and continued employment with the company.

Asking questions is essential to helping employers make the right decision on which job applicant to select for the job. So, let’s break down some of the typical interview questions you may be asked and what employers are really trying to find out so that you can provide the best response.

1. “Talk About One Of Your Greatest Achievements At Work.”

When employers ask this question, they are trying to see what you consider important on the job and are also trying to understand your key skill set. The best response is an example that can directly relate back to the job you’re applying for.

2. “Talk About A Time You Faced A Major Challenge At Work.”

Employer/hiring manager asks a potential job candidate a hard interview question

Employers are always trying to see how you face obstacles at work and your approach to dealing with them. Regardless of the challenge you present, the key is to demonstrate that you were able to overcome it and bring results of success.

3. “What’s Your Greatest Weakness?”

Employers want to see how honest you are, and the way you answer can also shed light on if you’re able to overcome obstacles. Everyone has a weakness, so provide an honest answer but finish off your response with how you’ve worked to improve on it so it actually isn’t a weakness anymore.

4. “Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?”

Employer/hiring manager wants to find out where the job candidate sees herself in five years during an interview

Employers want to find out your long-term goals and how they may fit into their plans. Your response should inform the employer that you’re dedicated to the profession and you have a confident outlook to move up in your career with even more experience and skills to succeed on the job. Do not give an answer that indicates you may not stay with the company.

5. “Describe To Me The Type Of Work Environment You Desire.”

Job candidate waits to answer an interview question from the hiring manager

It’s important that employers ensure you can fit in culturally and they want to understand the type of worker-boss management relationship desired. Say the person supervising is a micromanager, but you are one who has self-drive and desires empowerment. In such a case, conflict is highly likely.

Do your research ahead of time to understand the employer’s workplace culture so you respond accordingly. But it’s also important in helping decide whether you should even apply for a job because you want to work in an environment where you’ll be happy.

6. “Why Do You Want To Work With Us?”

A hiring manager asks a job candidate, "Why do you want to work with us?"

Employers need to find out if you’re a serious candidate for the job and if you have a true desire to work for the company and in the specific field you’re applying to. If you do your research beforehand, you will have an idea of things you can call out about the employer that impress you. It’ll also inform the employer that you’re not just randomly applying to any job, but that you have a true desire to work for them.

7. “Why Are You Leaving Your Employer?”

A job candidate answers the hard interview question, "Why are you leaving your employer?"

Employers will ask this question to try to better understand your long-term goals. It’s also to ensure that the reason you’re leaving is not one that may present itself again on the new job.

If you were fired from your job, the employer wants to ensure the problem or concerns about being fired do not carry over to the new job. Focus on a response that speaks to your desire for more challenge and that will allow you to utilize your experience and skills, and help you to continue to grow them.

When you understand what employers are really trying to find out with the questions they ask, you can tailor your responses so that you come off as the best candidate for the job.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Do You Really Want To Teach There? What To Know When Interviewing With Schools
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Do You Really Want To Teach There? What To Know When Interviewing With Schools

As an educational consultant, I have had the opportunity to support school improvement efforts within rural, suburban, and urban communities. I can tell you that the schools that are successful in ensuring student achievement and growth are not determined by zip code but, rather, by employing a no-excuses approach to implementing best school practices and systems as well as by how they value and support students, staff, and learners’ families. Don’t have buyer’s remorse. Know if the school community that you are interested in joining is committed to student success before taking the plunge into that new teaching job.

Information on schools where you are interviewing, beyond the basics of teacher compensation, could be plentiful if you know where to look and what to ask. If you do find yourself interviewing for your next teaching gig, here are six “look fors” you should reflect upon before saying yes to any offer. After all, an interview process is just as much about finding the right school fit for you as it is for the school in selecting a new teacher.

Shine A Light On The Physical Space

Teacher stands in the school hallway

In my work, I’m immediately drawn into a school community when I see teachers’ college pennants prominently displayed as well as information posted on classroom doors as to what the teacher might be reading on their own time. Schools get bonus points when hallway TVs loop photos from community events and bulletin boards not only display student work but indicate why certain student work is posted, how this work exemplifies quality and meets academic standards, and what students will do next to continue growing in their learning on that topic. You, too, should look for examples of school pride and learning culture, or lack thereof, as you wait to be called into your interview. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Know The School’s Data

Teacher researches schools to apply to

“Without big data, you are blind and deaf and in the middle of a freeway (Geoffrey Moore).” While you may not have time to ask more than two or three questions at the end of your interview, school data is often available on school and state DOE websites. Do your research before the interview as this will help you to target the questions you do get to ask in your interview.

  • What is the average tenure for administration? Teachers?
  • If student overall achievement is low, is student growth high?
  • Are suspensions low?
  • What is the average attendance rate?
  • What is the college acceptance AND matriculation rate?
  • What is the ratio of teachers, counselors, and social workers to students? How do these statistics differ by student sub-population—i.e. gender, race, ELL, SPED, as well as for students on free and/or reduced lunch?

Knowing this information can provide a candidate with a sense of whether the school has a culture of high expectations for ALL students.

Evaluate The School’s Commitment To Equity

Teacher helps a student

Chances are, if social-emotional and personalized learning are school priorities, teachers will have support with challenging student behaviors and students with special needs. Consider whether there is a restorative justice practice in the school—as opposed to a punitive discipline code of behavior—as research indicates that students of color are often disproportionally punished. Schools that build in student morning assemblies and advisory programs also are at an advantage in celebrating and promoting student exemplars of leadership. Also, how does the school support families of learners including families whose first language might not be English?

Determine How Professionalism Is Demonstrated

Teacher explains something to her class

Teaching can feel like a lonely profession especially when one is teaching alone in self-contained classrooms all day. Ongoing collaborative professional development can, in contrast, make all the difference in forging productive relationships, among educators, that develop capabilities in pedagogy (teacher moves) that, in turn, provide students with the learning expertise they deserve.

  • Will there be training and mentorship for new teachers entering the district?
  • What is the overall PD plan?
  • Will teachers have collaborative planning time to engage in collective classroom walkthroughs, effective co-teaching, and lesson study?
  • Are there professional learning communities (PLCs) within the school?
  • Are teachers encouraged and/or required to obtain additional credit hours and can some of these hours be used to earn micro-credentials and/or badges that allow classroom teachers to both remain in the classroom and take on teacher leadership roles?
  • And, lastly, who are the big education thinkers—“the OGs”—whose work influences the teaching, leading, and learning practices in the school?

Consider The Amount Of Inclusivity Within Decision Making

Man interviews for a teaching job

In a recent Work It Daily article I wrote, “3 Reasons For The ‘Big Quit’ In Teaching,” many educators commented in response that they do not feel valued, as professionals, by the school administration. Try to avoid this happening to you by sussing out how involved all school stakeholders are, collectively, in defining a school’s vision and the means through which the school will achieve that vision, i.e. the mission. Further, determine if teachers sit on the school leadership (SLT) team and if this team meets regularly throughout the school year.

Be Aware Of How You Will Be Evaluated

Teacher goes to a school for a job interview

When I began teaching, many schools used pass/fail checklists to rate teacher performance as well as supervisor “impressions.” This was too subjective for my taste. Today, many states, like New Jersey where I live, now require that schools utilize evidence-based performance evaluation systems such as the Danielson Framework and/or the Marzano Focused Teacher Evaluation Model to ensure both clarity of teaching expectations and observer inter-rater reliability. If you know what performance evaluation system is used by the schools where you are interviewing, you are in a great position to discuss how your teaching practice, up to now, meets these criteria. You get bonus points if you also can demonstrate your past impact on student achievement and growth (STAR method in interviewing).

Choose Your Adventure

Woman interviews for a teaching job

You’ve got this. Go with your gut when accepting or not accepting that next teaching position. Whatever the type of school in which you hope to teach, do learn as much about that school as possible before and during the interview process. Hopefully, these “look fors” will help you feel more confident about any decision you ultimately make when it comes to your next teaching assignment. Good luck!