When you become disabled when you are still employed, you may apply for disability benefits. If you are covered by Social Security, you need to provide supporting evidence that would indicate that your medical condition would prevent you from doing the work you were previously assigned. For them to decide on your disability, they need to determine that you cannot adjust to other work because of your condition and that your disability is expected to last for at least one year or for the rest of your life. Social Security only pays for total disability. Applicants need to complete several forms as well as show up for disability interview. To qualify, applicants need to pass two earnings tests, the “recent work” test which is based on your age at the time of disability, and the “duration of work” test which will evaluate if you have satisfied the required length of certifiable service. There are also provisions for benefits extended to the family of the disabled worker. Benefits are paid through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) program. SSDI replaces the wage earned by the disable person following the payment of Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes. SSI is funded by the U.S. Treasury general funds and provides monthly benefits to people with low income, blind, or disabled. The benefit also extends to disabled or blind children.

 

            For federal civil workers covered under the Civil Service Retirement System, you can apply for disability retirement after you have proven to your agency that you are disabled and had given adequate documentation. The agency is required to retain you through reassignment or accommodation, in which your workplace and job specifications will be adjusted to adapt to your altered condition. When all else fails, you will be advised to apply for disability benefits. You need to complete several forms provided at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) within a year of your separation. You will be eligible for benefits when you worked for a minimum of 5 years and had contacted the disease or injury during the course of your employment. OPM will be obliged to examine your condition and supporting documents to warrant your disability. Your entitled earned annuity will be computed according to the OPM’s general formula, and the amount would vary depending from one beneficiary to another based on age, length of service, and average salary. Beneficiaries would still need to pay federal taxes, unless you are proven to be totally disabled and cannot engage in any other gainful employment.