Question of the Week: What are the Eligibility Requirements for Federal Disability Retirement?
A: You must meet all the following eligibility requirements for Federal Disability Retirement:
- You must have completed at least 18 months of federal civilian service creditable under FERS.
- While employed in a position subject to the retirement system, you must have become disabled, due to disease or injury, and that disease or injury must be keeping you from performing useful and efficient service in your current position.
- Your disability is expected to last at least one year.
- Your agency must certify it is unable to accommodate your disabling condition in your present position and it has considered you for any vacant position in the same agency at the same grade or pay level, within the same commuting area for which you are qualified for reassignment.
- You must apply for federal disability retirement before separation or within one year thereafter. OPM or your former employing agency must receive your application within one year of the date of separation.
- You must also apply for Social Security benefits. This is a requirement for your FERS disability retirement application. If your Social Security application is withdrawn for any reason, OPM will dismiss your FERS disability retirement application.
If you think you may qualify for federal disability retirement, please do not hesitate to call us, and set up a FREE consultation. We have more than a decade of experience and we want to help you in any way we can. Give us a call at 877-226-2723 or fill out this INQUIRY form.
