CSRS disability retirement « USPS Disability Retirement

National Reassessment Program

Postal Workers call me daily inquiring about the viability of filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS. Often, it is in response to the U.S. Postal Service’s initiation of actions resulting from the NRP. The “National Reassessment Program” (which is neither a “program” designed with any rational basis, nor a “reassessment” of [...]

The Postal Worker Today: Choices, FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement, and Protecting one's Future

Hypothetical: A U.S. Postal Worker has been working for the past 7 years in a modified position. Seven years ago, he injured himself on the job; he filed for OWCP benefits, had surgery, and returned some months later in a position within the same Craft, but modified to fit his medical restrictions and limitations. By [...]

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

The U.S. Postal Service has, for many years, been a “good employer” for thousands of hard-working Postal employees. By ascribing the term “good”, of course, one enters [...] [...]

US Postal Disability Retirement: Making the Right Decisions before Ending up At the Merit Systems Protection Board

Long before a Federal Disability Retirement case reaches the Merit Systems Protection Board, there were multiple decisions, reviews and considerations engaged in – both by the Applicant, as well as by the reviewing Agency, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Why a particular disability retirement case ends up for an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative [...]

Postal Service’s Actions Can Sometimes Be To Your Advantage

Postal employees, there is nothing inherently wrong with an Agency offering you modified or light duty assignments. If management deems you to be valuable, they may want to modify your position in order to keep you. However, the mere fact that you accept and work at a “modified” position does not mean that you are thereby [...]

The OWCP Danger of Complacency for the Ill or Injured Postal Worker

I have had far too many calls by individuals who were complacent with being on OWCP/DOL temporary total disability compensation. The old adage, “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse”, is still generally true. It is the responsibility of the Postal employee to file for USPS Disability retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS in a [...]

The Initial USPS Disability Process

Many people get confused when they first consult with an attorney about disability retirement benefits for Postal Workers. Indeed, before consulting with an attorney, an individual who is faced with a medical condition which (1) is beginning to impact one’s ability to perform one or more of the essential elements of one’s position and (2) will [...]

* How the US Postal Disability program works - What are the requirements to qualify?

* What US government agency administers and approves the US Postal Service disability program?

* What are my chances for disability retirement given my current medical condition?

* Do I have to be completely incapacitated or permanently disabled to qualify for medical retirement?

* How long must my disability last in order to qualify for US Postal Disability Retirement?

* What benefits are covered under the US Postal Service disability retirement program?

* Will I be able the keep my current health insurance?

* Will I automatically qualify for the USPS Medical Retirement program if I am under the DOL Workers' Compensation Program (OWCP)?

* Will I be constantly hounded by someone who will check on me and constantly demand more medical documentation from my treating physicians?

* Will they assign me nurses to go with me to my doctors' appointments?

* Will they send me to secop (second opinion) or referee doctors?

* What if OWCP denies benefits -- do I still have a chance to qualify for OPM Disability Retirement?

* Does my illness or injury have to be job-related? How about a pre-existing illness or injury that is aggravated by my current Postal job?

* Will I be required to take a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) or any other occupational medicine or rehabilitation evaluation in order to qualify for USPS Disability Retirement?

* How much money will I receive in disability annuities? Will there be a disability rating system that will affect how much money I receive each month?

* Will I be allowed to get another job or start a new business if I qualify under the current US Postal Service Disability program? Is there any limitation on how much money I can make in the future?

* When should I apply for USPS Disability Retirement? Should I quit the US Postal Service first? Can I file for Federal Disability Retirement while I am still working?

* If I got a serious medical condition, should I wait until the US Postal Service separates me from service in order to qualify for medical retirement?

* If the Post Office is constantly sending me home early because they claim not to have anything left for me to do, will that improve my chances to qualify for Postal Disability Retirement?

* Will the latest The National Reassessment Process or Program (NRP) or Voluntary Early Retirement (VER or VERA) affect in any way my eligibility for USPS Disability Retirement?

* Is there any time limitation or deadline to file for disability benefits after I am separated from employment?

* Do I really need to hire an experienced US Postal Disability attorney? Will they take my disability application seriously if I apply alone and without a lawyer?

* If my application is initially denied, should I file a brand new application or appeal the current claim? What if my case is denied a third time?

* If I am denied at the first try, are there deadlines for OPM disability appeals? How about the third stage of the appeal? How many stages or appeals are there in the US Postal Disability Retirement process?

* Will I be able to receive both DOL Workers' Comp benefits and USPS Disability benefits at the same time? Is there any offset?

* Can I get a Federal Employees' Schedule Award (SA) or a personal injury award from a private company or insurance company if I qualify for medical retirement under current US Postal Service rules?

* How about the Social Security disability programs? Can I receive SSDI and/or SSI benefits while I collect USPS disability benefits at the same time? Is there any offset?

* If I'm a military veteran with a service-related disability, would I qualify for US Postal Medical benefits too? Is there any offset?

* How do I find out the status of my disability retirement application? Will they give me that information over the phone or will I have to wait for a formal written decision?

* If my postmaster or supervisor denies me sick leave (SL), annual leave (AL), or leave without pay (LWOP), should I quit the Post Office and still file for Postal disability?

* How do I make a living while waiting for a decision? Should I apply for state unemployment benefits in the meantime?

* If I withdraw my money from my Postal retirement fund, will I still be eligible for medical retirement?

* What does an Attorney who specializes in Postal Disability Retirement do in order to prepare and win a Postal Disability claim?

* Where do I find the proper forms to get USPS Disability Retirement?

* Should I ask my Postal supervisors/managers for help? Can I trust them? How about if they don't like me?

* What if the Postal Service claims that my Postal bosses gave me a reasonable accommodation? What happens if I refused an offer to take a job that was going to worsen my disease or injury?

* What happens if they give me another job offer after I apply for US Postal Medical Retirement?

* Can they disqualify me from US Postal Medical Retirement if I refuse medical treatment such as undergoing a dangerous/risky surgery?

* In what way is the US Postal Disability Retirement different from the DOL Workers' Comp program? Does the DOL OWCP have a competing disability program?

* Is there a list of diseases, injuries, or any other medical conditions listed that will automatically qualify for medical retirement in the US Postal Service?

* Will the symptoms or the secondary effects of required medications influence eligibility under current US Postal or OPM disability rules?

* Will I have any problems getting my disability claim approved if my medical conditions are subjective in nature? How about if I apply for stress-related disability, can I do that?

* If I was fired from the USPS for a non-medically related issue, will I still be eligible for medical retirement for US Postal workers?

* How about if I was fired for excessive sickness, will that entitle me for automatic medical retirement?

* Must I have a cooperative or supportive physician to have a good chance to qualify for medical retirement?

* What happens if my treating physician does not know anything about US Postal Disability Retirement -- will that be a problem?

* What can I do if my treating doctor refuses to cooperate with my Postal Disability claim?

* Will physical evaluations or treatments from chiropractors, physicians' assistants, or nurses help to make my disability claim stronger?

* What is more important -- to have a supportive treating doctor or an experienced lawyer? Is Postal Disability Retirement a medical or a legal issue, or both?