Injured postal workers who may have suffered a permanent, disabling injury have the option of retiring early and receiving benefits under the FERS disability benefits program. That said, just because one got injured while working for the USPS doesn’t mean that one can qualify for these benefits, as the journey to disability benefits is often riddled with bureaucracy, tight deadlines and stringent requirements.

FERS Disability program is handled by the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM which was established in the late 1970’s as a response to the growing need by injured federal workers who discovered that they could not go back to work at their previous capacity due to the extent of their injury and subsequent disability. This agency is an independent arm of the U.S. federal government, and it is a centralized authority which replaced the Civil Service Commission. The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 could be said to be the catalyst for the birth of what we today know as OPM given its establishment of a merit-based system when it comes to hiring federal employees.

OPM effectively replaced the Civil Service Commission due to the growing federal workforce as well as the emerging complexities of the human resource needs of these individuals. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 set the stage for the dissolution of the Civil Service Commission, and subsequently, the birth of the Office of Personnel Management. If you’re a catastrophically injured postal worker looking to receive benefits under this agency, it is best that you work with a law firm that understands the complexity of the program and can represent you during this difficult time, and we’re here to help with that.

You Need Help From an Attorney?

Are you looking for a federal workers’ compensation attorney? If you sustained a severe injury rendering you unable to work for the USPS thereby necessitating early retirement on account of your injuries, we can help. The experienced FERS disability attorneys at McCready Law have for the last two decades helped thousands of individuals just like you get, keep, and even increase their benefits after being injured on the job while working as last mile postal workers. What sets us apart is the fact that we have nationwide reach, and run a bilingual office (hablamos Español), as well as our in-depth understanding of the FERS disability process and our network of partners who work in tandem to help make sure that your application is approved the first time round. If you worked for the USPS for more than 18 months and then got injured rendering you unable to return to work for at least a year, we can help: please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 – the call is 100% FREE, and our intake team is standing by. 

In the 1970s, the Civil Service Retirement System, or CSRS was the principal retirement plan for all federal employees. However, the 1980s opened up questions regarding the sustainability of the program given the demand by federal employees to receive benefits that were commensurate with private sector employees. The FERS Act therefore changed the CSRS into FERS in order to usher in a new era of sustainability and equanimity. 

Active Amendments Made Under the FERS Act

Under the FERS Act, the following changes were made, which remain active to this date:

1. The establishment of the Thrift Saving Plan, or TSP, which is a contribution pot which is similar to the 401(k) plans one sees in the private sector. This provides federal employees with the opportunity to set aside a portion of their salary and receive an equal contribution from the government, which in turn motivated individuals and created a culture of saving for one’s retirement 
2. Social Security Coverage, whereby all federal workers receive Social Security, compounding the benefits one could potentially receive after retirement. 
3. The Act also created eligibility requirements, particularly a minimum of five years for retirement, and 18 months for disability benefits. 

What are the Requirements Needed to Qualify for FERS Disability Benefits?

In order to qualify for FERS disability benefits, you must first have completed at least 18 months of federal service, have a medical condition which prevents you from carrying out your job duties as an injured or unwell USPS worker, and this condition is expected to last at least a year. When it comes to applying for the same, one must fill in and complete Standard Form 3112, and submit medical documentation as proof of their claims. 

Countrywide FERS Disability Benefits Attorneys – Call Us Today!

By working with an experienced FERS disability attorney, you will receive expert assistance to make sure that you are seen by OPM savvy specialists, your files and other necessary documentation is prepared and submitted in a comprehensive manner, and the attorney will articulate and link your medical condition and your inability to perform your job duties.

In addition, we will communicate with OPM on your behalf, and if you received a denial in the past, come up with an effective strategy to appeal your case by furnishing additional evidence and prepare a compelling appeal to address issues raised by OPM justifying their denial. It is vital to understand that working with an attorney can cut your wait time from a year to just a couple of months, and during this time, you can focus on getting better so you can meet the challenges life may throw at you as you adjust into your new reality.

Please give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 regardless of where you are in the country in order to speak to an experienced FERS disability attorney to learn more about how we can help you ace the FERS disability benefits process. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.