The application for Federal Disability Retirement is full of confusing terminology, complex paperwork, and specific standards, like the SF 3112D – also called the Agency Certification of Reassignment and Accommodation Efforts. This is the HR form your agency will fill out, and it can be a challenge to complete.
The 3112D has to be signed before your application can be completed, but sometimes it’s difficult to get support from your agency.
This can feel like a lot of pressure, and we’ve noticed that people often have similar questions about this topic.
First Things First
Before we jump into questions, let’s clear up what the 3112D is.
The 3112D is part of your application your agency will fill out. This is a chance for your agency to show that they weren’t able to accommodate you or reassign you.
It should show that you agency couldn’t:
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- Give you a work accommodation that allowed you to perform all the duties of your position
- Reassign you to another position that you’re qualified for at the same pay/grade level in the same commuting area
Most of the questions we see about the 3112D break down into two categories: your agency won’t fill out the form, or the forms aren’t supportive.
My agency won’t sign my 3112D – what should I do?
There’re a couple of main reasons why your agency might be delaying:
1.You haven’t gone through the Reasonable Accommodation (RA) process. Most of the time, your agency won’t sign off on the 3112D if you haven’t gone through the RA process.
What you can do:
Start the RA process now. Even if you aren’t finished, but you are actively working through it, your agency might be willing to sign.
2. Another reason your agency might be waiting to sign is that they’re waiting for updates on the RA progress so they can be very specific in the 3112D.
What you can do:
It’s important to remember these forms can be updated as you go. You don’t have to wait until you have the ideal language to submit. As long as the form is signed, you can progress with your application.
In both of these cases, clear communication with your agency is crucial. Keep them up to date with the status of your medical condition and your RA progress. Let them know that even if they’re waiting on certain details, it’s okay to sign now and update later.
My agency signed the 3112D, but it’s unsupportive – what’s next?
Your agency may see that you’ve been offered reasonable accommodation and then certify that they’ve been able to accommodate you. While this doesn’t seem great, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right.
For example, if a police officer is given a reasonable accommodation of light duty, this isn’t a valid reasonable accommodation offer since he can’t perform all his job duties while on light duty. In short, light duty isn’t a valid accommodation.
Remember:
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- Any accommodation that doesn’t let you do all the duties of your position isn’t valid.
- Any reassignment that you aren’t qualified for, isn’t at your pay grade, and isn’t in your commuting area isn’t a valid reassignment offer.
To learn more about if your offer of accommodation or reassignment is valid, watch our video.
Finally, even if we can’t argue that your offers for accommodation or reassignment aren’t valid, that doesn’t mean we can’t possibly win your case.
While the 3112D has to be completed and it’s an important step to a complete application, it isn’t everything. There are other ways to strongly support your claim with things like medical documentation and your supervisor’s statement.
Do I have to tell my HR that I’m applying for Disability Retirement?
It’s a common concern – and a valid one. The short answer is yes; your agency will find out. But that doesn’t mean everyone in your office needs to know.
Here’s how it works:
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- The 3112D is filled out by your agency’s HR department or reasonable accommodation coordinator.
- That means someone within your agency will be involved in completing your paperwork. However, this doesn’t have to be broadcast to your coworkers or supervisor unless you choose to share it.
You have the right to privacy, and your agency should handle this professionally and confidentially. If you’re concerned about how this will be received, we can talk through your situation and offer strategies for communication.
What if I’ve already been reassigned or moved to another role—does that hurt my claim?
Not necessarily. Just because you’ve been moved to a different role doesn’t mean your agency has successfully accommodated you.
Here’s what matters:
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- A valid reassignment must meet very specific criteria. It has to be at the same pay grade, in your commuting area, and something you’re qualified to do.
- And just as importantly, it has to be a role you can actually perform with your medical restrictions.
We’ve helped many clients who were placed in “temporary” or light duty roles, or moved to positions they couldn’t truly manage long-term. Your reassignment doesn’t automatically disqualify you – it depends on the full picture.
Can I still apply if I’ve resigned or retired early and never got a 3112D signed?
In some cases, yes – but the window is small, and timing is critical.
Here’s what to know:
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- You have one year from your separation date to apply for Federal Disability Retirement.
- If you’ve already resigned or retired but were unable to work due to a medical condition, and you didn’t get a 3112D signed before leaving, we may still be able to help – but it’s urgent.
If you’re in this boat, the best thing you can do is schedule a call with us right away to discuss your options.
Takeaways
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- If you haven’t started the RA process, do that as soon as possible. Your agency won’t want to sign the 3112D until that process is either completed or well under way.
- Sign now, edit later. Remember, your agency can sign your 3112D even if you don’t have the most updated information. You can always go back and upload a new one, but we can’t move your application forward if the form isn’t signed.
- An unsupportive 3112D won’t make or break a claim. We’ve seen plenty of clients with unsupportive 3112D’s get approved.
If you’ve still got questions about this, we get it! This can be a confusing topic. Call our office today and we’d be happy to discuss it over the phone during a free consultation.
