We are here to debunk the biggest myths about Federal Disability Retirement! Bo Harris leads you through the most common questions asked by federal employees about this little known benefit. Learning more about this benefit can help you make a good decision about whether or not you should be considering this option.
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to fully complete all of your job assignments, this might be your best plan. We are a federal disability retirement attorney’s office that helps hundreds of federal employees all over the country. If you have questions for us, call us for free consultation. You can also subscribe to our blog or like us on Facebook!
Federal Disability Retirement Myths
Hey everyone! This is Bo Harris from Harris Federal Law Firm, where we help federal employees understand their rights.
Today I’m going to do a little myth busting. Understanding the misconceptions of a Federal Disability Retirement can make all the difference. In fact, it can even help you identify the proper time to file a claim.
First, a Federal Disability Retirement is a benefit for all career federal employees both under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) as well as the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). It is very different from Social Security Disability. In fact, it’s already built into your retirement pension plan.
However, there is an adjudication process and an application process. Very few federal employees really understand what I’m talking about and that’s why I’m going to discuss the top four myths about a Federal Disability Retirement.
Myth 1: You have to be totally disabled to qualify.
False. This federal disability retirement myth misleads many federal employees. You do not have to be totally disabled to qualify. Remember, we are talking about an occupational disability. Meaning we are trying to prove that you can’t do your job not any job that exists.
Myth 2: You are not allowed to work anywhere else once you have received your Federal Disability Retirement.
False again. The great thing about a disability retirement is you can move on with your life. You can work somewhere in the private sector and earn 80% of your previous job’s current salary as long as it fits within your restrictions.
You see, this is a great benefit for a lot of federal employees because it allows them to move on with their life.
Myth 3: The medical condition has to be job related.
This one could not be further from the truth. Your medical condition does not have to be associated with your work in order to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. You may have cancer or depression and could still be eligible for disability retirement.
Remember though, we are talking about any medical condition that prevents you from being fully successful at your job.
Myth 4: Modified duty prevents you from being qualified.
This is also wrong and very confusing to many federal employees. Modified work, whether it be Light or Limited, does not count as Reasonable Accommodation. We are trying to prove that you cannot do your job not just some job that they make up for you.
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from fully performing your job, your agency cannot provide Reasonable Accommodation, and you are interested in Federal Disability Retirement, maybe it’s time to give us a call. That’s what we do everyday. We help federal employees all across the country win their claims for disability retirement.
Remember, it’s our goal with this blog is to share as much information as possible. We think information is key and the more informed that federal employees are, the better decision they can make.
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