Living with a chronic condition can feel like an uphill battle, especially when trying to keep up with the demands of a federal job.
If your medical condition is getting in the way of work, and you can no longer keep up with your job duties, you may be wondering what options you have.
Federal Disability Retirement is an early retirement option that allows you to keep your federal benefits, like your pension and your insurance. And the good news is that chronic conditions can qualify.
Applying for Federal Disability Retirement can already be overwhelming, but if you’re dealing with condition you’ve had for years, it can bring up a lot of questions.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about chronic conditions and Federal Disability Retirement – without the legal jargon, just the facts.
Understanding Federal Disability Retirement Eligibility
In order to receive Federal Disability Retirement, you have to be eligible, and there are three main requirements:
- You must be a FERS career employee
- You must have 18 months (about 1 and a half years) of creditable service
- You must have a diagnosed medical condition that is keeping you from doing your federal job. This can be a chronic condition.
You Must Show Your Condition Has Worsened
In addition to the three eligibility requirements, there are a few more specific qualification requirements. One is that your condition must have begun or worsened while in your federal job.
If your condition is chronic, it’s possible that you were diagnosed with your condition before your federal career. In this case, you must show that your condition has worsened while in your job.
You can show this through:
- Worsening performance records
- LWOP usage or increased absences
- Increased medical appointments
- Dosage increases or medication changes
- Doctor’s records and statements
It’s important to show the OPM your condition has gotten to the point where you can no longer fully perform your job.
Chronic Mental and Physical Conditions Can Qualify
Both mental and physical conditions can qualify for Federal Disability Retirement and both can be chronic.
You can be approved for more than one medical condition; chronic physical conditions can sometimes lead to mental health conditions.
It may be harder to be approved for a mental health condition, as there can be less physical evidence proving your disability, but having a supportive medical professional on your side can make this part of the process easier.
Chronic Conditions that Can Qualify for Federal Disability Retirement
We’ve seen a lot of conditions qualify for Federal Disability Retirement, like:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Multiple Sclerosis
This doesn’t mean that these conditions will automatically qualify for Federal Disability Retirement, though.
Having depression doesn’t mean you’ll be approved, it simply means that if your depression is affecting you to the point where you can no longer work, and there are no treatments or accommodations available, then you may qualify for Federal Disability Retirement.
Starting the Federal Disability Retirement Process with a Chronic Condition
We don’t want you to fight an uphill battle any longer. If you’ve been struggling with a chronic condition that’s worsening, it’s time to find some relief.
For more than 20 years, our firm has successfully guided federal workers through the Disability Retirement process, helping clients with a wide range of chronic conditions get approval. Understanding how to effectively document and present your case to the OPM is crucial, and an experienced team on your side can make all the difference.
Call our office today. We’re ready to answer your questions and help you determine the best course of action, whether it’s moving forward immediately or gathering additional medical evidence.
