separated from service « USPS Disability Retirement

Federal Employee Medical Retirement: Hope versus Pragmatic Assessment
Hope is a peculiarly human characteristic; it is both a motivator and an incentive; yet, an unrealistic embracing of it, without reality-based assessments, can lead to a frail sense of overwhelming […]
Early Retirement for Disabled Federal Workers: Where to Begin
One is often asked the question, "Where do I begin"? It is the question of pervasive immediacy, combining both exasperation at a process too complicated to comprehend and […]
Medical Retirement for Federal Workers: OPM’s Methodological Application
Since prior to the time of Plato's Dialogues, the questions distinguishing between "appearance" and "reality" have pervaded Western philosophical thought, and through that tradition, […]
OPM Disability Retirement: Medical Support, Belief, Documentation and the Diagnosis
Ultimately, in preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, one must always remind one's self that this is a "paper […]
Postal and Federal Disability Retirement: The Necessity of the Legal Argument
Disparate facts, placed in the same vicinity, aggregated in order to formulate a composite of conceptual constructs, can provide to the recipient information concerning a specific issue, […]
CSRS & FERS Medical Disability Retirement: The Only Real Standard
In legal parlance, there are various and multitudinous "standards" -- of proof; of evidence; of law, etc. Some have higher, more stringent requirements; others are considered fairly de minimis, […]
Federal Disability Retirement: Writing about Medical Conditions
It is easy to give advice about pain when a person is feeling no pain; it is unwise to act upon it when one is in an extreme state of it. For, the former will often be disbelieving of the extent and […]
FERS & CSRS Disability Retirement for Federal and USPS Workers: Simplicity
Simplicity is both a process and a goal; it is that which defines ease of action, minimization of effort, and beauty in its foundational form. Simplicity implies quietude of form, and reduction […]
Federal Worker Disability Retirement: Historical Relevance
In preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, whether under FERS or CSRS, one must thoughtfully […]
Disability Retirement for Federal Workers: Corresponding Responsibilities
The problem with being responsible for something, is that the moment there are any consequences which result from the assertion of it, everyone lifts their finger and points it in another direction. […]

To Resign or Not To Resign From the US Postal Service

I am often asked whether or not it is okay to resign from the Post Office prior to either (1) filing for disability retirement or (2) receiving a decision from the Office of Personnel Management. A decision to resign from the Agency must be weighed very carefully, for there are multiple factors which must [...]

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 [...]

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) [...]

* 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?