There are times when due to a physical injury, ailment or mental issue a federal employee is no longer able to work in the position for which they have been hired. Oftentimes an employee will be placed into a different job where they can remain effective and still receive a steady income. This gesture is a way for the employer to help put an employee in a difficult situation.
However, there are times where the employee simply cannot continue working in any capacity. These are the most extreme of situations but they do occur and in these cases, these particular employees are entitled to federal disability retirement benefits.
In some cases an employee can receive what is known as a disability retirement annuity that will pay them a portion of their salary for the rest of their lives. This particular benefit only applies to those who are enrolled in the CSRS or FERS retirement plan. Therefore, it is important to know which, if any, retirement plan you are enrolled in before you try to obtain federal disability retirement benefits in this manner.
No stipulations are imposed on the recipient through the disability retirement program. Your disability retirement eligibility will not be affected if your condition improves. You will also not be penalized if you begin working in the private sector to supplement the income you are receiving.
There is one major qualification that must be met to receive these benefits, which is that you must be subject to your condition, whether mental or physical, for at least one year. A recipient will find it hard to collect any benefits for a condition that only lasts for a short time.
There is no guarantee that you will receive benefits even if you qualify for federal disability retirement. Benefits are denied for a number of reasons, but sometimes it may just be an error. Seeking assistance from an OPM disability attorney or other professional who knows the law is a good idea to avoid this problem.
When these cases are reviewed by the Office of Personal Management or even the Merit System Protection Board, you are going to want a qualified expert on your side. Unfortunately, most non-federal lawyers won't have the expertise you need. The best choice, in these circumstances, is to find a federal attorney who can help you secure the benefits you need.
There is a lot of red tape to work through and federal disability retirement plans come with a lot of rules and regulations. Get the help of an industry professional and know the rights you are entitled to. It is not worth taking shortcuts, and though it might not be easy it will be worth it to protect your future income.
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