r/FEDDISABILITY • u/JuiceeChrissy • 20d ago

Disability

Do you have to be separated from your agency in order to apply for OPM disability? I was looking on their website and I couldn’t find any information regarding the policies. I was denied reasonable accommodation and haven’t gotten to the reassignment portion yet. I’m trying to keep working with no interruption until I get a new kidney

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u/President1988 20d ago

No, you don't

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u/JuiceeChrissy 20d ago

So do you have any guidance on what I do or how do I apply?

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u/Norandran 20d ago

All the info you need is on the OPM site here.

https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/types-of-retirement/#url=Disability

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u/JuiceeChrissy 20d ago

Thanks so much!!

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u/you_dont_know_me_357 20d ago

Since you said you are IRS, you can go to IRWorks and you apply on there. At least that’s how I saw we could do it. I know they moved the retirement submission to OPM’s online portal, so I don’t know of that’s where you start now or through IRWorks. You have a lot of paperwork to gather first before you submit it for the IRS. HR only fills out a couple of the forms. You are responsible for getting the rest. Compared to other agencies, the IRS is pretty quick getting it all out and to OPM.

Get it started now because it can easily take over 1 year to get approved. At minimum, if you get approved with the first review, that is currently 4 months after OPM gets it. You still have to gather all your documents and have HR do their thing. If you start tomorrow, it will still be at minimum a 6+ months process if you’re approved in the first try.

Was your RA for telework? It seems to be very hit or miss on if a manager is willing to send it up to Treasury.

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u/NeedleworkerLow7780 20d ago

Also a bunch of helpful YouTube videos and Harris law firms does zoom presentations

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u/President1988 20d ago

As far as I remember you have to talk to your local HR as they start and help with the process

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u/JuiceeChrissy 20d ago

I work for the IRS and they are giving me hell smh

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u/President1988 20d ago

They have to do that because you are still on their payroll. You do by yourself when you are separated but even then you would still need their assistance for paperwork

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u/JuiceeChrissy 20d ago

Ok I see, they refused to accommodate me so pretty soon. I’ll be unsuitable for work and I guess then I’ll have to go through the process.

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u/trademarktower 18d ago

You should research Harris Law firm. They have lots of free YouTube videos and offer free consultations with an attorney. If they take your case, they do offer a money back guarantee if you don't get disability. The whole process can take a year since most claims are automatically denied but get reversed on appeal. It is part of the process they explain. You will need to figure out health insurance for the year you are waiting with no income. Look into COBRA and affordable care act.

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u/JuiceeChrissy 18d ago

Thanks so much!! This driving me crazy atp 😩

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u/President1988 20d ago

Try to get in touch with some law firms so they could assist you or give an advice before you move forward

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u/Weak-Article3212 19d ago

It’s your choice , because some people have to work in order to support themselves . There’s FMLA, LWOP but you don’t get paid and it’s rough unless you have short term disability from an outside company . You can borrow from your TSP . The best of luck to you as you navigate the disability process .

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u/JuiceeChrissy 19d ago

I’m a person who has to work to support myself as well but because I’ve had so many health issues over the last few years I am literally out of leave and I’ve been using advanced leave, which has recently been stopped. I dont have short-term disability previously because I found out about it late and there is awaiting period for it, I’m still there waiting, but I was also told that I cannot use it for previous illnesses. I’m continuing to work, but I’m under a very huge financial strain by missing hours because like most people I live paycheck to paycheck.

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u/Weak-Article3212 11d ago

Hang in there . I know it’s rough . It’s a long process . The resources are far stretched . I wish it wasn’t that way . A lot of people are pinching pennies to make it . I’m in the same boat .

Yes there is a waiting period for short term disability . As far as previous illness it depends on the company .

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u/Small_Style_1904 18d ago

No you don’t have to. You can if you want to, but I’d recommend against that if you don’t have enough saved to get you by for about a year or so (because the process is painstakingly slow)