NFL & MLB Disability Benefits FAQ

The NFL Player Disability & Neurocognitive Benefit Plan offers three main monthly benefits: Line of Duty (LOD) disability, Total & Permanent (T&P) disability and the Neurocognitive Disability Benefit. Each has its own rules, amounts and deadlines, and some players qualify for more than one over time.

It depends on the benefit. Line of Duty is for a lasting football injury. Total & Permanent is for players who can no longer work. Neurocognitive is for memory, focus, processing or mood problems. Your credited seasons, release date and pension status also matter. A free review is the fastest way to know where you stand.

A credited season is a season the NFL plan counts toward your benefits, generally based on time on a team’s active roster or injured reserve. Your number of credited seasons affects deadlines and, in some cases, how much you’re paid.

Some players qualify for more than one program, but most can’t be collected at the same time. We look at every program on your review and help you pursue the one that fits best right now.

Line of Duty pays at least $4,000 a month. Total & Permanent pays from $5,000 up to $22,084 a month depending on your category. Neurocognitive pays $4,500 a month for mild impairment and $6,500 for moderate. Your exact amount is set by the plan after review.

Yes. Line of Duty, Neurocognitive and some Total & Permanent claims have filing windows tied to your release date and credited seasons. Missing a deadline can close a benefit for good. If you’re unsure, check now.

No. The disability plan is administered separately from the NFLPA. Legacy Pro Sports is independent and not affiliated with the NFL, the NFLPA or the plan.

A monthly benefit for former players with a substantial, permanent disablement that arose out of NFL football activities, like a knee, shoulder, back or neck injury you played through.

The greater of $4,000 a month or the sum of your Disability Credits for your credited seasons, for up to 90 months.

Yes. Line of Duty is based on your football injury, not on whether you can hold a job.

With four or fewer credited seasons, your application must be received within 48 months of the date you’re no longer an Active Player. With five or more, your deadline is the number of years equal to your credited seasons. Six credited seasons gives you six years.

No. Players receiving Pension Plan benefits aren’t eligible for Line of Duty. If you’re close to starting your pension, talk to us first.

You can’t have another pending Disability Plan application, can’t have had a Line of Duty application denied in the last 12 months, and you must attend exams with the plan’s neutral physicians.

If approved, your effective date is the first day of the month two months before the NFL Player Benefits Office received your completed application. Your first payment is retroactive to that date.

A monthly benefit for former players who can no longer work for pay because of injury or illness, where the disability is expected to be permanent. It can come from football injuries, other conditions, or both.

It depends on your category. Monthly minimums are $22,084 (Active Football), $13,750 (Active Nonfootball), $11,250 (Inactive A) and $5,000 (Inactive B). Your benefit may be higher based on your credited seasons.

Mainly by what caused your disability (football or not) and when it started. Proving an earlier start date can move you into a higher category, which is why records matter so much.

Yes, but you must apply within 18 months of your release. After that, T&P is generally closed to players with fewer than 3 credited seasons.

Line of Duty is for a lasting football injury, and you can keep working. T&P is for players who can’t work. Some players qualify for one, then the other, as their health changes.

Yes. A lower category or amount can be appealed just like a denial.

A monthly benefit for former players with mild or moderate neurocognitive impairment: problems with memory, attention, processing speed or mood.

$4,500 a month for mild impairment and $6,500 a month for moderate impairment. Your level is set after the plan’s testing.

You have 7 years from the date you were released from your team to apply.

No. You don’t need a minimum number of credited seasons to apply for the Neurocognitive benefit.

CTE can only be confirmed after death. But the symptoms CTE NFL players live with, like memory loss, mood changes and trouble focusing, can support a Neurocognitive claim while you’re living.

The plan sends you to its neutral physicians for tests on memory, attention, processing and mood. We explain what to expect and make sure your records are in front of them.

Forgetting conversations or appointments, losing your train of thought, taking longer to make decisions, a short fuse, anxiety or depression. Family members often notice first.

Yes. You can request review of a denied Line of Duty, Total & Permanent or Neurocognitive claim. Many claims are approved on appeal once the missing evidence is in the file.

Usually about 180 days from the date of the decision. The exact deadline is in your denial letter. Don’t wait until the end: building new evidence takes time.

Most denials come down to missing records, exams that didn’t capture your condition, the wrong category, or deadline and paperwork problems.

Generally not right away. A new Line of Duty application usually can’t be filed within 12 months of a denial, which is why the appeal matters.

You can, but an appeal is often your last full chance to add evidence. Working with a team that does this every day helps make sure nothing is left out.

Yes. Your first 30-minute benefits review is free, with no obligation.

Your teams, seasons and release date, a list of doctors you’ve seen, any letters from the plan, and a plain description of what you deal with day to day. Don’t have it all? We’ll track down the rest.

Yes. Whether your claim is pending, denied or approved at a lower amount, we review where it stands and take it from there.

Legacy Pro Sports was founded by Brandon Siler, a former NFL linebacker who went through the disability process himself. 5,000+ former athletes helped.

Yes. Spouses and family members are often the first to notice changes, and they’re welcome on every call.

MLB Total & Permanent disability. It’s paid through the MLB Pension Plan to players who can no longer work because of injury or illness.

$6,000 a month until age 62, plus $600 a month for each qualified dependent. Your amount also depends on your status when the disability began, which we confirm on your review.

A physical or mental illness or injury that keeps you from working in any job for substantial pay, expected to last at least five years.

No. Legacy Pro Sports is independent and not affiliated with MLB, the MLBPA or the plan.

Former players need at least 4 years of credited Major League service.

Time on a Major League active roster during the regular season. A full season earns one year. In a partial season, every 43 days earns a quarter year. Injured list time counts too, and some other time can count, which we check for.

Add one year for each full season, then a quarter year for every 43 days in partial seasons. Our MLB credited service calculator does the math for you, and we confirm it against your official record.

Generally no. Former players need to apply before their pension starts. If you’re close to starting it, talk to us first.

There’s no filing window tied to your release date. But timing still matters for back pay.

It can. The plan may rely on a Social Security disability finding when it decides your claim. Let us know if you’ve been approved for SSDI.

As soon as you can. If you apply within six months of becoming disabled, benefits are paid back to the date your disability began.

The Benefit Plan Office generally has 45 days to decide a disability application, and that can be extended in special circumstances.

$6,000 a month is paid until age 62, as long as you remain disabled.

The plan defines who qualifies. We confirm your dependents on your review so your $600-a-month additions are counted correctly.

Yes. You or an authorized representative can appeal to the Pension Committee.

180 days from the denial. That window is for disability claims. Other plan decisions have shorter deadlines, so don’t assume they’re the same.

People who weren’t part of the original decision and give it no deference. If a medical judgment is involved, a different medical professional is consulted.

The Pension Committee meets quarterly, and appeals are generally decided at its next meeting.

You may be able to take your claim to federal court. A strong appeal record matters, because it’s usually what the court reviews.

Most denials come down to a credited service count under 4 years, missing medical records, or not enough evidence that you can’t work in any job for substantial pay.

Yes. Your first MLB review is free, with no obligation.

Your clubs and seasons in the Majors, a list of doctors you’ve seen, your pension status, any letters from the plan, and whether you’ve been approved for SSDI.

Yes. Whether your claim is pending or denied, we review where it stands and take it from there.

Yes. Family members are welcome on every call.