Federal & Social Security Disability Benefits: How They Influence Each Other

by Garrett Jellison

Garrett Jellison of Jellison Agency recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the business in 2017 and he aims to help every client meet their goals in protecting their family, their home, and their lifestyles. Here he discusses the topic of federal and social security disability benefits and how they affect each other. 

Though nobody wants to imagine becoming disabled at any point in time, it is essential to have an understanding of the disability coverage under the Civil Service Retirement program, as well as the Social Security program. It is imperative to know more about the mechanisms of the system, especially those persons under the CSRS and FERS systems.

There is an integration of the civil service and the Social Security disability programs at a certain level. It simply implies that the disabled persons may not have access to full benefits under more than one platform and should work assiduously to preserve their rights under each system. Workers registered under the FERS and CSRS-Offset (a branch of the CSRS system which also covers the Social Security which is not available in the CSRS plan) must submit their application for federal retirement disability to Social Security, so they are assured that their benefits are duly organized and in good custody.

Moreover, workers may be qualified for a disability annuity if they sustain that injury while working as a federal career officer. The CSRS/CSRS-Offset have made provisions for this, and these disabled employees must have completed at least five years of federal civilian service. Under the guidelines of FERS, they are expected to have worked for 18 months. While these employees are covered by any of these plans, CSRS/CSRS-Offset or FERS, they must have been confirmed disabled for “useful and efficient service” in their current position and any other open position at that same grade or pay level in which they are eligible to hold.

The term “Useful and efficient service” denotes satisfactory performance of the critical or essential elements of the position, or the capacity to perform at the desired level, as well as the ability to maintain gratifying attendance and conduct.

In another case, for a service to be rendered not “useful or efficient,” there must have been a level of performance or attendance which if it is permitted to linger; it would lead to a rejection of a within-grade increase, downgrading or any counteractive action.

The rules under social security are more complex and sterner. Qualification for benefits from OPM does not automatically make you entitled to social security benefits. There are certain conditions you must satisfy before you can be qualified for Social Security benefits and they include having a physical or mental impairment that is capable of preventing you from engaging in strenuous work activities for one year. Another condition is the presence of an ailment in your body that could lead to your death.

It is important for you to file for disability benefits as soon as possible in the event that you become disabled. To do so,  you can visit the social security office or call directly, but be sure to give them much all of the requested information so they can process your request.

Contact Garrett Jellison

Jellison Agency

Phone (972)469-0816

Email [email protected]

Other Garrett Jellison Articles:

Article: TSP INVESTING: A prospect worth exploring by Garrett Jellison