Are All Federal Workers Eligible for OPM Disability Retirement Benefits?

Anyone who has recently become disabled due to a serious injury or a medical condition is likely considering their options for obtaining disability benefits. While many Americans may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits based on their medical record and work history, many federal employees could also be eligible to obtain disability retirement benefits through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Yet understanding eligibility for OPM disability retirement can be complicated, and many federal employees are not certain if they are eligible. Are all federal workers eligible for OPM disability retirement benefits? In short, no, but many are.

Our national OPM disability retirement eligibility attorneys can explain which federal employees can be eligible for these benefits and what you need to do to begin the claims process.

Federal Employees Who Have Worked for 18 Months or More in a Job Subject to FERS Can Be Eligible

In order to be eligible for OPM disability retirement benefits, the first eligibility requirement is that you must have worked for at least 18 months in a federal civilian service job that is subject to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Which federal civilian service jobs are subject to FERS? Generally speaking, new and non-temporary federal civilian employees who have been hired to positions beginning in 1984 or after are covered by FERS. In order to be eligible for OPM disability retirement benefits, you must have been in this job for at least 18 months, or one and a half years, as we noted above. If you have questions about whether your job is subject to FERS, you should ask an OPM eligibility lawyer as soon as possible.

More Eligibility Requirements That Federal Employees Must Meet

In addition to the requirements above concerning your length of time in a federal civilian service job covered by FERS, you also must meet additional requirements for OPM retirement disability benefits that include the following:

• You must have become disabled in your federal civilian service job subject to FERS due to disease or injury, “for useful and efficient service in your current position”;
• Your disability must be expected to last for at least one year;
• Your agency must certify that it cannot accommodate your disabling condition and has considered you for any available reassignment in the same grade or pay level and commuting area;
• You apply for OPM retirement disability benefits within one year of your separation from service; and
• You must apply for social security disability benefits.

Contact a National OPM Disability Retirement Eligibility Attorney for Assistance with Your Disability Retirement Claim 

If you have become disabled while working in a federal job, you may be eligible to receive OPM disability retirement benefits. You should seek advice as soon as possible from an attorney who can assist you in determining your eligibility and working with you through the claims process. One of the experienced national OPM disability retirement eligibility lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can speak with you today about your eligibility and how to take the next steps to receive OPM disability retirement benefits. Contact our firm to learn more about how we can assist you.

Source:

opm.gov/support/retirement/faq/disability-benefits/