Real Client Case Study: One Veteran’s Journey from Mental Health Struggles to Freedom and Relief

May 1, 2025

After serving in the US Military for 20 years, William decided to continue serving our country as a federal worker training new soldiers. Unfortunately, the scars left from his service in the military followed him and his mental health eventually got to the point where he couldn’t keep going. Here’s the true story of one of Harris Federal’s former clients – how he stepped away from his career so he could prioritize his health without compromising his future.

7 Options for Federal Employees Facing Return to Work Orders

Jan 27, 2025

If you’ve been working from home and you’re struggling to get your work done, and you think that returning to work in person wouldn’t be possible, you’re not alone.

Will the New Social Security Fairness Act Affect Your Disability Benefits?

Jan 21, 2025

On January 5th, 2025, President Biden signed The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) into law, but what does that mean, and does it affect you? The SSFA gets rid of two rules – The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) – that were put in place to prevent double-dipping but ended up unfairly reducing Social Security benefits for a lot of federal employees. Now, retirees who get a government pension and also paid into Social Security through other work will get their full Social Security benefits.

Can You Get More than One Disability Benefit at Once? Understanding Offsets

Nov 18, 2024

If you’re dealing with a medical condition, navigating disability benefits can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s more than one option available. As a federal employee, you have access to different programs like Workers’ Compensation, Social Security...

When and How You’ll Get Your Federal Disability Retirement Payments

Oct 28, 2024

If your health has taken an unexpected turn and you're facing a disabling medical condition, the last thing you should be worried about is how to make ends meet. But that's the reality for many federal employees struggling with a medical condition. If the fear of...

Common USPS Employee Injuries

Oct 8, 2024

Working for the United States Postal Service (USPS) demands both physical and mental strength. Postal workers navigate diverse and often unpredictable environments, delivering mail in all weather conditions, from scorching heat to icy winters. Along the way, they face...

Income in Federal Disability Retirement: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Sep 30, 2024

Being approved for Federal Disability Retirement is a big accomplishment. But the payments you receive may not be enough to support you or your family. The good news is that on Federal Disability Retirement you can find a new job in the private sector and...

Resources for Transitioning from Active Work to Disability Retirement

Sep 16, 2024

Leaving a job isn’t just about packing up a desk and closing a chapter—it’s about stepping away from a piece of who you are. For federal employees, the transition from active work to Federal Disability Retirement can feel like losing a part of your identity. It’s...

5 Keys to Budgeting After Federal Disability Retirement

Sep 9, 2024

Opening a letter from the OPM and seeing the words, “Your Federal Disability Retirement application has been approved” is a life-changing moment. You’ve been waiting for months and now that you’ve been approved, it’s time to start preparing for your new future. But...

OPM Uncovered: Answering Your Questions About the Office of Personnel Management

Aug 12, 2024

Update (7/16/25): Right now, the wait time between receiving your CSA letter and getting your initial decision is about 2-6 months, though each case is different and this timeframe can vary. Does dealing with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) feel like an...

2025 Guide: What Qualifies as a Disability for Federal Disability Retirement?

Jul 25, 2024

Are you going to work, day after day, hoping it will get easier? Are you worried about making it to retirement age while dealing with a medical condition that feels like it’s robbing you of your ability to do your job? Working for the federal government gives you access to so many valuable benefits – a solid pension, reliable insurance, and much more. Even if you’re facing challenges at work because of a health condition, you shouldn’t have to give up the benefits you’ve earned.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Federal Disability Retirement Eligibility

Jul 15, 2024

Do you ever wake up dreading the day, stressed by what awaits at your job? Is something that was once so easy to do now a nearly impossible task, and you’re worried about making it to retirement? You don’t have to carry that anxiety anymore: Federal Disability...