What USPS employees need to know about Federal Disability Retirement

Postal workers who can't work due to an illness or injury have a significant benefit opportunity that is relatively unknown. Federal Disability Retirement can allow you to retire early while providing long-term income, insurance and other great benefits.
In this webinar we will walk you through the application process, give tips on what to watch out for and discuss what can happen before, during and after you submit a Federal Disability Retirement claim as a postal worker.
Schedule a FREE consultation: bit.ly/federalhelp
Learn more about Federal Disability Retirement: www.federaldisability.com/leg...
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
3:40​ Understanding Federal Disability Retirement
4:35 Federal Disability Retirement Benefits
10:04​ Working in the Private Sector
17:15​ Qualifying for Federal Disability Retirement
23:50 Understanding the Reasonable Accommodation Process
25:20​ Understanding the USPS Process
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[@sukhwindka]

Thank you ! Kimberly for helping me with my disability retirement case . Thank you ❤️

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thanks for the comment! We agree, Kimberly is great!

[@sheritaa3032]

Thanks for this helpful info!

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thank you for watching!

[@KimberlyMack2005]

If my high 3 years , according to my blue book, is $50,000, would that be the figure I will use to calculate my 80% that I am allowed to make if I take a job ? Thanks for your video . It was very informative.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hi Kimberly, this is a very common question. While your disability retirement annuity is based off of your High 3 Average Salary, the 80% income cap is based off the current salary of the position you retired from. So, the 80% cap will increase with increases to your old positions salary and any COLAs. I hope that helps clarify it for you!

[@user-xh8fm9ro5l]

I was injured on the usps job, received comp, went back to work and reinjured. At what point do you know when to apply for disability retirement? Currently waiting to see doctor next week for this reinjury.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

If you are no longer able to perform any of the essential functions of your job, you could qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. Your illness or injury must be expected to last for at least one year, and you must have supportive medical documentation to back up your claim. Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to learn more!

[@27jtaco]

I’ve been on wage loss for two years. I am scheduled for a second opinion ime to try to kick me off of wage loss. If they do, but im still not able to return to work full duty anymore even if they second op says I can work to some capacity, do I still qualify for disability retirement? And can I get a scheduled award if I don’t go back to work? My doctor has me with restrictions and off work. Back injury 2 surgeries going on 3. Still with pain.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

If your wage loss ends and you are still not able to perform at least one essential function of your job, you may qualify for Federal Disability Retirement! Schedule awards do not interact with Federal Disability Retirement so you would be able to receive both at the same time if you have reached maximum medical improvement. Give our office a call so we can learn more about your situation and chat about the best path forward- 877-226-2723!

[@ibiwizi123]

I assume that we would receive contractual increases as well as COLAs, but would we still receive the step increases as if we still were working?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

While working on Federal Disability Retirement, you can earn up to 80% of your previous positions CURRENT salary. So as that salary receives step increases, the amount you can earn in the private sector will increase. You will be eligible for COLAs on Federal Disability Retirement after the first year.

[@briancusyk8293]

Do we pay you or is your pay based on like the back pay received from SSDI and FERS Disability Retirement?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We have a flat fee for our services and payment plan options! Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to learn more.

[@cenkulker6744]

Hello ! I have been working at Usps as a regular employee since January 2019. and I have been fighting with polycystic kidney disease..I am on stage 4 and my kidneys work %23 …I have been using very heavy medication to make my kidneys function stable as much as it goes through…And I have arthritis all the way from my neck and back…I used to work automation area which is very fast paced job but since last 3 and half years I have been working Manuel letters by sitting… so my question is if I can apply federal disability and social security disability at the same time..Thank you very much…

[@DisabilityRetirement]

You can apply for both SSDI and Federal Disability Retirement, in fact, you must apply for SSDI before applying for Federal Disability Retirement. It sounds like you may be a great candidate for these benefits. Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your situation. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[@maintm3]

USPS emoyee. I cover insurance for my wife as well. If I go on disability, what happens to my wife's insurance?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Great question! You will be able to maintain your insurance for you and your family while on Federal Disability Retirement! You will continue to pay the same premiums as you did while employed and the OPM will cover your agency's portion.

[@TheodoreTheDog_WillTheOwner]

I’m a RCA was in a car accident and had 3 back surgeries. Third party only had 10k worth of insurance and I got nothing from the settlement. I work 12 hours a day and file a ca7 every two weeks. Do I have to do ca7s for the rest of my life?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Wow that sounds like a tough situation, we are sorry to hear you are going through this currently. We recommend you give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can talk through your specific case with you.

[@mikedouglass138]

I have been injured since 2019 and I have worked and then not worked and then I did and then I didn't so what about that and how does my last 3 years of service

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Your high 3 average is calculated by your highest 36 consecutive months of basic pay- not necessarily your most recent 36 months of pay. You can contact your HR for an estimate of this number!

[@richardchamorro4053]

What happens if u don’t get approved by social security disability? Does this affects your annuity monthly income? Or if you get approved by social security disability? Does any changes? Thank you very much

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Thanks for a great question! If you are not approved for SSDI that does not affect your Federal Disability Retirement annuity, but if you do get approved that could potentially benefit your case. If you are approved for both benefits there will be an offset in your annuity but that isn't always a bad thing. To learn more about offsets watch this video www.federaldisability.com/resources/understanding-federal-employee-benefit-interactions/.

[@richardchamorro4053]

@@DisabilityRetirement Thank you very much.

[@richardchamorro4053]

@@DisabilityRetirement there are two types of SSI; the disability and supplemental. They are different but, both are from social security administration, what are the difference if I get approved by any of them? Both have same effect to annuity monthly income?

[@Linxs718]

Does this firm take on cases for SSDI and disability from USPS? I’m currently 90% VA disabled and work as an APBS clerk. Because of my VA disabilities my position as clerk has worsened. I have doctors notes and records saying this. I was never injured at the job. Does my conditions qualify for both ?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

You do not have to be injured on the job to qualify for Federal Disability Retirement! USPS positions can qualify for Federal Disability Retirement as long as you meet all of the requirements and our firm will help you through this process, give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your case!

[@mariegerharm904]

OPM approved me of my 2 accepted conditions on OWCP, I had many other issues, but it was mostly is work related or not game. OA was not approved by OWCP EX: OA in both thumbs, wrists and two knuckles. My issue is I can't find a doctor to look at my two accepted conditions because no doctor wants to touch OWCP, what happens if OPM decides a review, or can I get more added items to OPM, I am 59, rural carrier and my OA is at stage 3.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

OPM will review your medical conditions annually so it's important to continue treating with a professional while on this benefit. You can try using this provider search owcpmed.dol.gov/portal/provider/search

[@mariegerharm904]

@@DisabilityRetirement Can I get other items added to OPM that are the main reasons my hands don't work, or will I have to reapply?

[@cruzinchris6866]

Can you apply for Federal disability after you started receiving your annuity, I never herd of this program and in March I had to take MRA+10 and retire early, I applied for and was approved for SSDI starting in March 2021 because I had a unsuccessful work attempt in 2020.Can I go back and apply for Federal disability retirement

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hi Chris - Thanks for the question! Unfortunately no, you cannot apply for Federal Disability Retirement once you have reached eligibility for regular retirement. Sorry that you didn't learn about it sooner. Agencies tend to keep Federal Disability Retirement in the shadows. We wish you the best of luck in retirement!

[@SandfordSmythe]

You are no longer a disabled worker.

[@hdelacruz8]

Here is my situation: I am on my 4th cycle of Lymphoma chemotherapy, the latest PET scan two weeks ago revealed that there is no cancer found. I am 61 yo and will turn 62 in November I applied for SSDI in Jun effective Apr when the Cancer was diagnosed. I am about to submit my disability claim with OPM but after watching several videos today, found out that after 62 you no longer qualify for FERS disability. It goes back to normal retirement after 62. I have 18 plus years of service which regular retirement for USPS would be around $700. after medical and basic life insurance. Should I proceed with the claim or just apply for regular retirement after using all my sick leave which runs until 1 Nov on FMLA? FERS disability estimate is around $2000. I do not know how to proceed. Help!

[@DisabilityRetirement]

FERS disability retirement could be beneficial at this stage if you would qualify for significant amounts of back pay. We are currently seeing OPM processing times around/over 6 months which would put you over your 62nd birthday. You can give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your case and help you proceed in the best possible way!

[@sheritaa3032]

Fera disability will likely pay more👍🏽 Go for it!

[@user-jr9om5wk5t]

How long does this process take? Start to end with you?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We typically estimate around 9-12 months for the entire process. We strive to have your application submitted within 90 days of becoming a client, and then the OPM backlog will be the determining factor for the rest!

[@benjaminp.aficial9824]

What is the fee for representation with disability retirement

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to learn about our payment plan options!

[@alphious9283]

I am a mailman and stayed home 14 months because of on the job injury. Now my office has assigned a limited duty when I can apply for federal disability?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hi Alphious - Great question! You should apply immediately. Give our office a call as soon as possible so we can walk you through your options. You have some decisions to make in the very short-term. Thanks for the question! Give us a call: 877-226-2723

[@iggi70]

If you can afford Not to go back on the clock, Do Not! You will get retro pay when you last clocked out.

[@sikkinixxmc]

@@iggi70is the retro pay 60 percent?

[@iggi70]

@@sikkinixxmc full amount as if you were working 40hrs a week.

[@ezemoneyent]

Should I wait to apply for disability retirement? I haven’t been able to work going on three weeks.

[@ezemoneyent]

And do I have to wait till I’m no longer getting paid?

[@DisabilityRetirement]

You don't have to wait a certain amount of time as long as you have 18 months of service! If you are unable to perform at least one essential function of your job and can show a history of treatment, you may qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your case!

[@egleecarroll]

I am at a lost I am already 62 where would I stand and I am currently on Owcp.

[@DisabilityRetirement]

If you are already 62 then you would receive a regular FERS retirement instead of a Federal Disability Retirement!

[@ruthless6834]

Hello. I worked for a federal agency for 13, had a break in service for a little over a year to work in the civilian sector and decided to get back to the government. I’m considering to apply for federal disability due to injuries that sustained during a recent mobilization with the military. In case I apply for disability and get approved, how my high 3 is calculated? My salary on the agency that I work for 13 was way more than what I make right now. Even with the break in service, does OPM calculate my high 3 based on what I make those years (which was way more) or my current salary. Thanks again

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Hi Ruth - The High-3 is calculated using the highest 36 consecutive months of pay during your service, so if your prior service was higher, that is what the OPM will use in the final calculation. I hope this answers your question!

[@ruthless6834]

I returned back to the USPS after a year out from deployment. While deployed I had a back and shoulder injuries from a car accident. I also suffer from migraines and been prescribed with medication. At the moment I work as a Distribution Clerk and the job is very physically demanding, Particularly in my back and shoulders. I show up to work because I have to support my family but I’m constantly in pain and have to take pain medication before and after go to work. Is it ok to apply for fees medical disability due to my active duty injuries. Thanks

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Yes! Your injuries do not have to be caused by your federal job in order to qualify for FERS disability retirement, however, you must prove that your condition has worsened due to your job duties. It sounds like now is the perfect time to apply. Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to schedule a free consultation and learn what all of your options are!

[@barbaratyrrell3185]

they don't care how you feel if i were you i would start looking for a better and a less stressfull job feel sorry for you all they care about is there job they don't care about you or your health or safety all they say is how much mail do you have 🙄

[@chillwill5080]

Christ in a handbag how do you apply for disability from federal service when you openly admit that your injuries were not caused by federal service?

[@ruthless6834]

@@chillwill5080 I was employed by the USPS and activated by the military when the injuries happened. Yes I 💯 “Openly Admit That”.

[@chillwill5080]

@@ruthless6834 So you want to give statements under oath that you were injured by military service, and expect FERS to give you disability compensation? What?

[@cjsmith954]

Im thinking about filing for disability retirement.... mental ... i am 100 $ disabled veteran

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We've got a webinar that covers mental health conditions for Federal Disability Retirement that you can check out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHLnXmtYpWob6s&lc=UgzRAWibl3ulwBotEAh4AaABAg Additionally, you will be able to receive VA Disability while on Federal Disability Retirement! Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 to learn how we can help!

[@LadyBNatural]

Me too

[@DianaHernandez-gj5tb]

Where are you located

[@DisabilityRetirement]

We serve clients nationwide and have worked with federal employees in all 50 states!

[@user-pe6cd1fk3r]

please send me info

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your potential case!

[@Petequinn741]

USPS will rip you off..I was on workman's comp

[@DisabilityRetirement]

Unfortunately, workers compensation cases can end unfairly. If you are still struggling with a disability after workers comp has ended, you may qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. Give our office a call at 877-226-2723 so we can learn more about your case!