Comments on: The U.S. Postal Service and Federal Disability Retirement: The National Reassessment Program, the Agency and the Worker

By: Vicki K. Matin

Vicki K. Matin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:51:25 +0000

I asked my postmaster for reasonable accomadations after they jst move me to a 4am job and now have been informed they are going to perform a DRAC on me. Because of having PTSD and 10 LB LIFTNG RESTRICTIONS no bendig stooping, etc I’ve been told they will probably say they have no work available and put me off the clock but it would not be under the NRP. Im a disabled veteran and was hired with these restrictions 10 yrs ago and there has never been a problem until now. The postmaster said if they told me they had no work available that I could go out on medical disability. Dont know if I should fight the DRAC or if its true about the medial disability. If the medical disabilty is possible, what would the process be? I have twins at home and cant afford to be without income.

By: Linda Winkelman

Linda Winkelman — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:07:27 +0000

I’m under csrs with 29 yrs in the postal office.I was put on the nrp on 03-11-11. I have tenditious in both elbows since 4-1-98. This was due casing all that mail in the 80′s and 90′s. Since, 1999 I was doing a 3 hrs carrier work then did clerk work for the other 5 hrs. Now I get 4 hours of work w/hour lunch! OWCP is paying the difference at 66%. I waited for 13 months for the Union and USPS to have a hearing in my case. After the 13 months I had to wait almost 2 months for the arbitrator to decide my case. It was not favorable toward me. The ruling was for us to decide district and locally for my job in a 8 hr status. I called my postmaster to find out if he was going to give me more than 4 hrs a day and he said no. I told him over the phone that i was done and was going to retire. I use up the rest of my annual. He (pm) told me I should retire and get an office job somewhere. I’m also on light duty since 2004 when I was put on a lung transplant. I continued working up until 1-11-08 when i received the lung. May- 3rd-08 I returned to work doing the office work I was doing since 1999. I was on oxygen at work for a year before being called for lung. In Aug 2011 I had neck surgery and still having pain in that area. I told neck doctor not to put restrictions on that,so I could keep my job,even tho it was for 4hrs. Anyhow, I’m cannot get my retirement because usps didn’t offer early retirement for carriers. Now, I have to go back to work for 4hrs or less doing work my lung dr. doesn’t want me to do! Gas money costs me more that I’m earning and I feel I got stepped on pretty hard emotionally, physically and monetary plus my pride. So, my question is can I now go ahead and go out on disability.Would that be better disable or stick it out for my retirement? Yes, I am still in pain,plus I have to watch humidity – weather on lung and elbows do bother me.

By: Judy Stump

Judy Stump — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:57:12 +0000

I am currently receiving CSRS/OWCP disability for total disability. I had 32 years with USPS, 11 while working a Light Duty Assignment. I am 59, have permanent nerve damage to both arms from Cubital Tunnel Syndrum (elbows). I understand that I am allowed to earn the remaining 25% of lost income. I asked my OWCP claim examiner to please explain this prosess to me but still have not received anything. I was removed from service through their NRP, 11-10-2008. I was a letter carrier but my light duty assignment was all clerk work. I was on limited Retirement/disability until OWCP accepted the claim, then switched to OWCP, this took 20 months. My work restrictions are 5 lbs, 20 occasionally, no push or pull which exceeds 45 lbs of force, no repetitive motion, can use a muscle group for 30 minutes then must switch to a different muscle group or receive 10 min break. Can I seek employment to make up the lost 25% as long as that employment is in my work restrictions like driving School Bus.

By: sally ann adamssa

sally ann adamssa — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:00:27 +0000

I was wondering if I can still get benefits through feca if I apply for disability retirement under fers?

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:52:46 +0000

I have had 3 knee surgerys in the last year. I have been off work on workcomp for over a year now. With all this sending everyone home who has any problems at all how long can I collect workcomp and where would I stand with disablity retirement? I have 17 yrs in. I have permanent restictions also for having 3 shoulder surgerys. Right now even after 3 surgerys on this one knee I still have a 14 degree bend in my knee and also trouble bending my knew very far.

By: Dominator a chavez

Dominator a chavez — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:46:41 +0000

I would like a copy of my retirement award letter asap thank you

By: Karl Schluth

Karl Schluth — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:27:04 +0000

CSRS Employee here with 32 years Federal Serivce Age 52. I needed to have my knee replaced in june (I am a letter carrier) and obviously I will not be able to carry mail again. USPS continues to keep me out of work and on comp (my medical profile states that I am able to do a desk job). My issue is since I was hurt on the job and it is a disabling condition why can’t I just retire with out penalty? I did not ask to get hurt, it is the USPS fault that I got hurt and I am suppossed to take a 6% penatly because I am not old enough? Our illustious leader is retiring with 32 years of service but because he is 55 he do not get penalized but Ihave more time than him and I get hurt on the job and I get penalized? Anyone who cares to try to help me email me xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx

By: Belle Joco

Belle Joco — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:49:10 +0000

I was sent home by the management 2 weeks ago due to no work available for me. I have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral foreamrs tendonitis. Will I be qualified to apply for Disability Retirement? Im on modified status, so what is my chance of getting approved when I apply for Federal Disability Retirement? Whom can I get in touch with?

By: Cynthia Weaver

Cynthia Weaver — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:26:28 +0000

I went out on disability retirement after a qualifying back condition as well as CTS. Now as I face my 62nd birthday next summer, I am fear-stricken with how I am to survive when they “adjust” my annuity to reflect what will then be only 18.5 years of service.After they deduct my family health plan, i’ll get next to nothing. No way would I normally have been able to retire at age 62 had I continued to be able to work. My question is can I go back to work before I reach that age and try to hold down my PTR clerk job? Is worker’s comp required to find me another part-time postions here if my job is filed now? And why was I not entitled to an award for my conditions? The back injury was aggravated by my years on the job, and the cts was directly caused by it. I am under Fers..
I am asking why they are only required to cover me until I am 62 when normal retirement age is 65?

By: Sherry Morrish

Sherry Morrish — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:36:00 +0000

I have been waiting for a reply from OPM post-retirement since Feb 2009. I have emailed, called, written letters, and sent requested information in a timely fashion.
My annuity I believe is 250. less than I am entitled.