Figuring out if Federal Disability Retirement is right for you can be an overwhelming process. And if you’re already at the end of your rope because of a painful injury or illness, the government’s maze of requirements is the last thing you want to think about.
You don’t have to do it alone, though. Whether you’re managing a pre-existing condition, mental health challenges, or several health issues at once, a guide to point you in the right direction can make all the difference.
The Harris Federal User-Friendly Guide to Qualifying Conditions and Requirements offers a clear overview of the things that make you eligible for Disability Retirement and what kinds of conditions qualify.
Quick Links
- OPM’s Requirements
- How to Gather Medical Evidence
- Mistakes to Avoid
- Qualifying Mental Health Conditions
- Mental Health Impacts in the Workplace
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Qualify?
- Applying with a Chronic Condition
- Qualifying with Multiple Conditions
- Does Your Condition Need to be Work-Related?
- Do You Need to Have a “Total Disability”?
- Top Injuries Affecting Federal Employees
- Qualifying as a Special Provisions Employee
Quick Links
- OPM’s Requirements
- How to Gather Medical Evidence
- Mistakes to Avoid
- Qualifying Mental Health Conditions
- Mental Health Impacts in the Workplace
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Qualify?
- Applying with a Chronic Condition
- Qualifying with Multiple Conditions
- Does Your Condition Need to be Work-Related?
- Do You Need to Have a “Total Disability”?
- Top Injuries Affecting Federal Employees
- Qualifying as a Special Provisions Employee
Figuring out if Federal Disability Retirement is right for you can be an overwhelming process. And if you’re already at the end of your rope because of a painful injury or illness, the government’s maze of requirements is the last thing you want to think about.
You don’t have to do it alone, though. Whether you’re managing a pre-existing condition, mental health challenges, or several health issues at once, a guide to point you in the right direction can make all the difference.
The Harris Federal User-Friendly Guide to Qualifying Conditions and Requirements offers a clear overview of the things that make you eligible for Disability Retirement and what kinds of conditions qualify.
OPM’s Requirements for Federal Disability Retirement
When the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reviews Disability Retirement claims, they look for seven specific criteria to be true. From details about reasonable accommodations to the prognosis of your condition, it’s important to know the seven standards for building your application for Disability Retirement.
How to Gather Medical Evidence for Your Disability Retirement Application
Medical evidence is the foundation of any Federal Disability Retirement case. It’s the official proof that your condition is keeping you from doing your job well, and it’s a crucial tool in convincing the OPM that your claim should be approved. Read on to learn what documents you need for your Disability Retirement claim, what’s important, what’s not, and more.
Mistakes to Avoid When Documenting Your Injury or Illness
When detailing your medical condition for a Disability Retirement application, the stakes are high; one mistake or misunderstanding can lead to a denial and months lost to a reconsideration process. From incorrect dates to confusing wording, learn about the errors many federal employees make on their Disability Retirement applications and how you can get things right the first time.
How Mental Health Conditions Can Qualify for Federal Disability Retirement
A mental health condition is just as eligible for Federal Disability Retirement as a physical injury or illness. But there are nuances to supporting your claim that you need to know before applying. Learn about the unique considerations a mental health condition presents when applying for Disability Retirement.
Proving Mental Health Impacts in the Workplace
Because the symptoms of a mental health issue are often hard to see, proving how they impact your federal job can be difficult. From interacting with your boss to getting the right documents from your doctor, read through for more about proving the impact of your mental health condition for Disability Retirement.
Can Pre-Existing Conditions Qualify for Federal Disability Retirement?
A pre-existing condition, like asthma, lupus, depression or PTSD – just to name a few, can qualify for Federal Disability Retirement, but it’s important to know how to prove your condition has worsened before you apply. Read more to learn about how the OPM evaluates these conditions and how you can make your case for Disability Retirement with a pre-existing condition.
Applying for Federal Disability Retirement with a Chronic Condition
A chronic condition like arthritis, diabetes, or COPD, may not have impacted your federal job when it first started, but things can worsen over time. In order to apply for Federal Disability Retirement, you need to be able to prove that your condition has declined. Read on for more about getting the OPM the proof they need to approve your Disability Retirement claim for a chronic issue.
Qualifying for Federal Disability Retirement with Multiple Conditions
There is an almost endless list of conditions that qualify for Federal Disability Retirement. But what happens when more than one issue is causing the problem? How do you get several doctors to agree that Disability Retirement is right for you? Read on to learn about how someone with multiple conditions can apply for Federal Disability Retirement with confidence.
Does Your Condition Need to be Work-Related to Apply for Federal Disability Retirement?
Are you worried you might not qualify for Federal Disability Retirement because your injury happened a long time ago or in a non-work-related incident? Both can qualify, but there are some strict timeline requirements you need to know before you apply for Federal Disability Retirement with a past or off-duty injury.
Do You Need to Have a “Total Disability” to Qualify for Federal Disability Retirement?
The idea of “total disability” can cause many federal employees to confuse Federal Disability Retirement with Social Security Disability Insurance. But to qualify for Disability Retirement, the OPM is looking for an occupational disability, not a total disability. Learn more about the differences between the two and how to know if you have an occupational disability or a total disability before applying for Federal Disability Retirement.
Top Injuries Affecting Federal Employees
While a wide array of conditions qualify for Federal Disability Retirement, a handful of particular injuries are common among federal workers. Read on to see if your situation sounds similar to a common injury or illness we see from federal workers on their Disability Retirement applications.
Common VA Employee Injuries
From slips and falls to torn muscles, we see repeating injuries and illnesses arise from VA hospital and clinic workers. Read on to learn about common conditions we see VA workers claim on Federal Disability Retirement applications and learn how we’ve helped other VA clients.
Common IRS Employee Injuries
From stress to repetitive motion strain to vision loss, we see repeating injuries and illnesses arise from IRS and other office workers. Read on to learn about common conditions we see IRS workers claim on Disability Retirement applications and learn how we’ve helped other IRS clients.
Common USPS Employee Injuries
From traffic collisions, dog bites, back injuries, shoulder injuries and more, we see trends in the conditions that come from USPS workers seeking Disability Retirement. Read on to learn about common illnesses and injuries USPS employees claim on their Disability Retirement applications and learn how we’ve helped other postal service clients.
Qualifying for Federal Disability Retirement as a Special Provisions Employee
Because of the stressful nature of their jobs, Special Provisions Employees – air traffic controllers, federal firefighters, federal law enforcement officers, and military reserve technicians – have unique retirement conditions that might impact a Federal Disability Retirement claim. Read on to learn what rules these federal workers should take into account and why Special Provisions Employees might be more likely to get approved for their Disability Retirement claim.