OPM Eligibility Lawyer
Federal employees under both the FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) and CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System can seek federal disability retirement through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you are currently unable to work your full-time job and cannot be either accommodated or reassigned, you should contact an attorney regarding OPM disability retirement.
The OPM disability retirement system can be complicated. Unless your application is strong, complete and supported by adequate documentation, you may find your claim is either denied or languishing for years as you await a decision. Attorney Steve Barszcz has earned nationwide reputation of securing OPM disability retirement approvals. He will assess your eligibility and take immediate steps to secure your much-needed retirement benefits. Review the eligibility requirements for OPM disability below and contact OPM eligibility lawyer Steve Barszcz for a free strategy session.
Criteria for OPM Disability Retirement Eligibility
Eligibility for OPM disability retirement is based on a number of components. These are:
Creditable service – You must have at least 18 months of Federal civilian service creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to be eligible for OPM disability retirement.
Disability – During your employment in a position subject to FERS, you became disabled from useful and efficient service in your position due to injury or disease.
Duration – The length of the disability is expected to be a year or more.
No accommodation – The agency you are employed with certifies that it cannot accommodate your disability in your current position and that you aren’t qualified for any vacant positions in the agency at the same pay level or grade within the same commuting area.
Application – You must apply for disability retirement before you are separated from service or within a year of being separated. There is a limited exception to this deadline due to mental incompetence.
SSD – You must also apply for Social Security Disability benefits to maintain eligibility for OPM disability retirement.
Three Keys to Success: Documentation, Documentation, Documentation
Documentation is the key to a successful OPM disability retirement application. The documentation is provided by you, your doctor and your employing agency. Attorney Steve Barszcz works with doctors and specialists across the country and can work with your doctor to establish the necessary treatment notes, clinical studies and medical opinion to ensure your highest probability of success in your claim. It is important to note that medical examinations are not paid by OPM and are your responsibility. Talk to Attorney Steve Barszcz if you are having trouble paying for the necessary medical exams, as there may be ways to secure your evaluation while waiting for your benefits to be approved. Some of the relevant documentation includes the following:
- Service is deficient regarding conduct, performance or attendance, or documentation shows medical condition is incompatible with other useful service or retention in the position.
- A medical condition, meaning a health impairment that results from an injury or disease, including psychiatric disease.
- The medical condition and the service deficiency are related – the service deficiency is caused by the medical condition.
- The disability is expected to last for a year or more.
- The disability occurred while you were serving under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- The agency is unable to reasonably accommodate your medical condition
- There is no other available position within the agency and the same commuting area at the same grade or pay level and tenure that you would be qualified for reassignment to
Get Help Now with Eligibility for OPM Disability Retirement
Please remember that OPM disability retirement is available to any federal employee unable to perform their full-time employment as a result of either personal disease, off the job injury or on-the-job injury. If you have questions about OPM eligibility or you have been denied for disability retirement, please call OPM eligibility lawyer Steve Barszcz at 877-655-2667 or complete the evaluation form below and Steve will provide you with his legal opinion at no charge.
