‘Disability’ Applications

(This article appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

Doug Holbrook, Director

It’s unfortunate when anyone has to retire early because of a disability. But many do, and we feel strongly that APWU members eligible for disability benefits should be fully informed about the rules before they file for disability retirement.

The following provisions apply to retirees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees Retirement System, or by CSRS Offset rules.

Retirement Requirements

When applying for a disability retirement under CSRS and CSRS Offset coverage, applicants must complete the Application for Immediate Retirement form (SF-2801), and the Documentation in Support of Disability Retirement form (SF 2824A). To be eligible, CSRS-covered applicants must have completed at least five years of federal civilian service.

FERS applicants must complete forms SF-3107 and SF- 3105A. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 18 months of federal civilian service and must apply for Social Security disability benefits. Approval or disapproval of Social Security disability, however, does not impact the Office of Personnel Management decision on disability retirement.

No one should consider applying for disability retirement until after they have provided the Postal Service with complete documentation of their medical conditions and the USPS has exhausted all reasonable attempts to retain them in a productive capacity. You have to have become disabled because of a disease or injury that occurred while employed by the Postal Service. The disability must be expected to last at least one year.

The local USPS Personnel office will help you obtain the required forms to obtain statements from your supervisors and attending physicians. Their statements will serve as proof that your condition prevents you from performing useful and efficient service. However, it is your responsibility to present the application and supporting documentation to OPM, which will determine whether a finding of disability is warranted.

Disability Claims

A claim for disability retirement must include documentation that clearly and specifically establishes a “service deficiency.” The claim must show:

• A deficiency in performance, conduct, or attendance, or in the absence of any actual service deficiency, a showing that the medical condition is incompatible with either useful service or retention in the position; 
   
• A medical condition defined as disease or injury, including psychiatric disease; 
   
• That the medical condition caused the service deficiency; 
   
• The duration of the medical condition, both past and expected, and a showing that your condition, in all probability will continue for at least a year;
   
• The inability to provide useful an deficient service arose while serving under the Civil Service Retirement System; 
   
• The inability of the employing agency to make reasonable accommodations to the medical condition; and 
   
• The absence of another position, within the employing agency and commuting area, at the same grade or pay level and tenure, for which the employee is qualified for reassignment.

OPM will not pay for any medical examination or procedure needed to provide the necessary documentation.

When to Apply

Applications for disability retirement must be made prior to a separation from the Postal Service or within one year of the date of the separation. It is your responsibility (or your guardian’s or other “interested person’s”) to ensure that your application is filed with OPM within the time limit.

If you are still employed while making the application, Shared Services (formerly Human Resources) will assemble all the available disability documents and send them to OPM. OPM will then acknowledge your application by assigning you a claim number and either you or Shared Services will be contacted for any further information.

Both the Postal Service and the applicant will be notified of the ruling. If your claim is approved, Shared Services will be asked to separate you from its rolls and will send OPM your final retirement records. The personnel staff also will determine the actual date of separation; annuity benefits will begin accruing on the first day after pay as an employee stops.