Last Updated on March 11, 2011
Information is interesting. But not all interesting information is useful. And, further, not all information, even if interesting and (potentially) useful, is accurate. Ultimately, in order for information to be of practical use, it must be accurate, useful, and purpose-related. Thus, when inaccurate (partial or complete) information is placed into the public domain, it often becomes useless, but remains interesting to the extent that people continue to rely upon such information.
In filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS or CSRS, it is important to obtain, process, and apply useful and accurate information. Two sets of basic information need to be clarified: First, many Postal and Federal employees have been confused about SSDI and its impact upon Federal Disability Retirement and the application process in preparing, formulating and filing for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS (CSRS exempted because an SSDI receipt is not necessary). Showing a receipt for having filed an SSDI application is all that is needed. An approval is not necessary; and, indeed, for most Federal and Postal employees, one will not ordinarily qualify for SSDI precisely because it has a higher standard to be eligible. Further, a sequential showing is NOT necessary — i.e., one does not have to first file for SSDI in order to file for FERS Disability Retirement benefits. All that is necessary, from OPM’s perspective, is that at the time of an approval of a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS, a Federal or Postal employee must show a receipt showing that one has filed for SSDI benefits.
The Second informational error to be corrected: While somewhat redundant based upon the first, a Federal or Postal employee does NOT have to be approved for SSDI in order to file for Federal Disability Retirement benefits under FERS. That would be pointless and illogical, if one stops and thinks about it. Again, all that is necessary is that one files, and one shows a receipt at the time of an approval of a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS. Yes, this is the information age; but it still comes down to a human being who places the information into the public domain, and the question continues to be asked: Who is the person putting out the information, and can that person be trusted?
Sincerely,
Robert R. McGill, Esquire