Should I Apply for OPM Disability Retirement?

Are you a federal employee who has recently become disabled due to an injury or a diagnosed medical condition? If so, in addition to other potential sources of income, you may be wondering if you should apply for federal disability retirement. This type of benefit is administered through the federal Office of Personnel Management, or OPM for short. In order to be eligible for OPM disability retirement, you must meet certain requirements that include working for a particular type of federal employer and meeting distinct work-related and medical requirements.

Should you apply for OPM disability retirement, you may be wondering? Our national OPM disability retirement attorneys can tell you more about the requirements so that you can get a better sense of whether you are eligible. If you believe you may be eligible, you should get in touch with one of our attorneys as soon as possible to begin working on the process of obtaining OPM disability retirement benefits.

Do You Work for an Eligible Employer?

First, do you work for an eligible employer? If you are currently a federal employee who is under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), then you should be eligible to apply for OPM disability retirement.

Do You Meet the Requirements?

To receive OPM disability retirement benefits, you must meet specific requirements set forth under federal law. If you believe you meet the requirements, or even if you are unsure, it is important to get legal advice as soon as possible so that you can receive the benefits you need. Those requirements include the following:

• You have completed 18 months or more of federal civilian service;
• You became disabled while in your federal job due to disease or injury and “for useful and efficient service in your current position”;
• Your disability is expected to last for at least a year;
• Your agency can certify that it cannot accommodate your disability in your current condition and cannot reassign you;
• You apply for OPM disability retirement within one year from the date of your separation from federal service (and the OPM receives your application before one year is up); and
• You have applied for Social Security Disability benefits.

To actually apply for OPM disability retirement, you will need to provide a substantial amount of documentation that your attorney can help you to prepare. You will also need to submit specific federal forms. The amount of money you receive will depend on your average salary while you were working, as well as your age if you are under the age of 62.

Contact Our National OPM Disability Claims Attorneys for Assistance 

If you are a federal employee who recently became disabled, it is important to know about your options for receiving disability benefits. More specifically, you may be eligible for OPM disability retirement. One of the experienced national OPM disability retirement lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz can discuss your eligibility with you today and can begin working with you on the process of seeking benefits. Contact us for additional information.

Source:

opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/types-of-retirement/