Closing the Books on LTD and TWP

By Duane Estep

2 min read

Recently, I reviewed the nearly 40 articles I have penned for others suffering from the same vile disease of prostate cancer. During this review I discovered I never completed a series of articles concerning LTD and TWP: LTD being Long-Term Disability and TWP being the program offered by SSD called Trial Work Period. Both have served as great frustration over the course of my treatment path.

A difficult experience

Through my personal experiences, I cannot recommend SSD’s Trial Work Period. I think the program is not as carefree as the SSD promotes it to be. As I reported earlier, I had a go at the 9-Month TWP and it ended badly. I encourage fellow cancer warriors to study the program carefully before deciding upon attempting it.

All my efforts with long-term disability came to a dismal end. My LTD was never reinstated, despite my stage IV cancer status. In fact, I feel I was punished for making an attempt to reenter the work force. Reapplying several times to LTD only produced more denials of my disability.

Although I am reporting my failures with these programs, I am in no way touting that one should not ever attempt these avenues. I simply encourage one to carefully assess your situation and all rules governing the program. Read the small print, as they say. And above all, consult and listen to your doctors.

Trusting my doctor

Every cancer doctor and my private physician implored me to avoid the 9-Month Trial Work Period. I can honestly report this is the first and only time I did not fully listen to my medical professionals. Each was correct in their assessment stating my body was not and will not ever be conducive with a return to employment.

Being a hard-head, I challenged that assessment by gaining permission from SSD to take on a high school men's soccer head coaching position. The position paid little, and I was mostly concerned with just helping out the soccer program. This attempt ended poorly with me struggling just to attend practice over the last month of the season and actually missing a contest. My body just could not hold up to the constant physical requirements necessary for the position.

I believe I have finally came to the realization that my doctors know best.

Coming to accept the truth

A disability retirement has proved very hard to accept after working over 30 years as a teacher and a coach. However, I feel this recent attempt has thoroughly convinced me to accept the medical truth. I will certainly miss that portion of my former life, but I must do what is right with regards to my health.

In closing, let me once again state, I do not claim to have all the facts and knowledge concerning the programs I write about here. However, I strongly encourage my fellow cancer warriors to study and make an educated decision regarding the attempting of said programs. I would love to hear any comments or stories concerning anyone who has lived a positive outcome of these ventures.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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martinwilson2 Member
I’ll second you On that. Diagnosed Gleason (4+5)9. Radical prostatectomy. A year on two hormones 80 rounds of radiation. 4 different surgeries for complications. I applied for SSID after my prostate surgery. When the surgeon said he had to take a lot of the prostate bed and 7 lymph nodes. I didn’t know ssdi didn’t get my surgeon s notes. I reapplied when they denied my disability. After being a paramedic and a cop for 30 years. I decided to not try to be the brave one and and act like most of my patients. The squ icky wheel get the grease. By the time I reapplied I was seeing a therapist. So when I seen all the ssdi dr’s I got a disability check. When I read about the return to work plan my therapist told me I wasn’t ready to go back to work. All my dr’s said I should be ok to work? Now I’m glad I didn’t go back. 30 years as a paramedic and a cop I’ve seen way to many good people get screwed by the fed’s. I’m like you I’m just saying what I’ve seen 
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="martinwilson2" user-id="3266328"/> and <inline-mention username="Duane Estep" user-id="3259777"/>. I wish I could say otherwise, but I have heard numerous stories similar to what you provided. It feels like if a person wants to try to return to work the assumption is then made that they could and can work. The word "trial" seems to get completely lost in the process. I would love to hear a success story - not just a success story of someone successfully returning to work (although, that is great), but rather someone who successfully returned to disability when needed. Thanks for sharing these important stories. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
2. Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Richard Faust" user-id="3268931"/> a lot depends on the type of work I suspect If i am a roofer it may be good to wait a bit - if i am a desk person it is much easier to return to work on a physical level - mental is another issue
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
We live in a society that does not understand the beauty of ...simplicity ...form and function when it comes to healthcare
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Dennis Golden" user-id="3259730"/> , I couldn't have said it any better. Diane, Team Member
Dennis E. Golden Moderator & Contributor
Thank you
Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
My husband has stage 4 prostate cancer, had bladder cancer, had a heart attack after finishing his first round of chemo, and has seven stints in his legs because of PAD. There's no doubt he was unable to work. He was still denied SSD until we hired an attorney to represent him before the judge. It was costly, but he was finally awarded SSD.