Dealing With The OPM Federal Disability Retirement Regulations

As a federal employee, there are some options open to you if you are hurt on the job and can no longer adequately perform your duties. Some agencies simply move the employee to a position with lighter responsibilities. If that’s not an option, though, and the employee cannot work any longer, they need to submit a form to the OPM for federal disability retirement benefits.

The OPM, of Office of Personnel Management, has a number of policies that are not always the easiest to navigate. The OPM federal disability retirement conditions require that documents are submitted according to certain rules that must be strictly followed. Even as a federal employee, you may want to consider consulting with a layer to make sure everything is done right.

If you are enrolled in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), you may be eligible with the OPM for federal disability retirement annuities. This program will pay a portion of your wages for the rest of your life, no matter how the actual condition occurred.

The good news is that even if you had the condition prior to your employment you still could be eligible to receive benefits. You simply have to prove that you were able to satisfactorily perform your job for’ months for FERS or five years for CSRS.

There is a social security disability program as well, but it differs in many respects from the OPM federal disability retirement program. Most notably, a federal employee won’t have to show “total disability.” If they are disabled from performing one or more of their essential duties, that is enough. Employees can rest assured that they are covered if they suddenly lose their source of income.

An employee can also continue to work after they’ve submitted a claim with the Office of Personnel Management. It can take time to process a claim, and the employee can still work in a job with lighter responsibilities until the claim is accepted or denied. If they are receiving the retirement annuity, they can even start another job, as long as it does not exceed 80% of the income of the current job.

No one likes to think about the unfortunate circumstances that could lead to a sudden loss of income because of a disabling condition. That is why federal employees can register with these programs and make sure that they will be covered no matter what happens.

It’s important to get all the basics right from the very beginning when you file a claim with the OPM. Federal disability retirement benefits will only be awarded if all the regulations are followed and the proper documents and proof of disability is provided. If you need a lawyer to help you get things sorted out, don’t hesitate to seek their assistance.

Stephanie Martin is a federal worker working in the Office of Personal Management. She understands thoroughly Federal Disability Retirement and OPM disability retirement.