Filing For Retirement Disability

You are eligible for disability retirement benefits if your federal employer cannot retain you in a productive service due to your present medical condition. Federal disability retirement laws are there for governing applications filed for retirement disability benefits either under Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Before you can file for disability retirement benefits, find out whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

You should have worked for at least 18 months in a Federal civilian service which can be covered by the FERS or CSRS. Your disability should have occurred while you were in the active service in your current position. You can file for disability retirement benefits after 1 year of the disability and within 1 year of being separated from the federal service.

Step 1 – Acquire the Forms

Acquire the SF 3107 and SF 3112 forms and fill them duly with accurate details. SF 3107 form is for the application of Immediate Retirement and SF 3112 is for documentation to support to disability retirement. You have to submit an additional documentation of social security disability benefits details if you are under the age of 62 years.

Step 2 – Coordinate with Superiors

Coordinate with your former supervisors or employing agency to complete filling of SF 3312B, SF 3112D and SF 3112E forms. You have to submit these forms along with the 3107 and 3112 forms.

Step 3 – Submit the Forms

If you have been separated from the service, these forms have to be filed before your separation crosses 1 year’s statutory limitation period. You have to submit the forms and supporting documents to the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM). In case of having a doubt of not receiving the completed forms from your supervisors within the 1 year limit, you have to send your forms (3107 and 3112) alone to OPM along with the contact details of the supervisors who had completed the forms for you.

Follow-up

Even after receiving the approval of the disability retirement benefits, you are required to submit periodical medical examination report to support your disability. As otherwise, your benefits could be suspended till the supportive documents get submitted.

Getting Legal Help

Retirement Disability compensation can be overwhelming if you do not know the various legal requirements of the process. Hence, hire a disability retirement lawyer to get appropriate legal advice in assistance in filing your retirement disability so that your application will not be denied.