Sending documents properly may sound simple, but if by accident or an act of God your disability application and medical documentation are lost, you could lose any chance of receiving the benefits you need.
Recently, several of our FERS clients who originally applied for disability annuities on their own, contacted us for assistance when they were told by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that their paperwork never arrived. They risk losing their benefits largely because OPM has stringent deadlines on application filing (FERS disability applications must be on file with OPM within one year of separation from service.) An administrative error, even if it isn’t yours, could cost you.
To avoid this, we recommend that you:
- Make copies of everything you’re sending to OPM including your application and medical documentation;
- Send all correspondence, whether by U.S. Mail, UPS, Federal Express or any other delivery service, requesting a Return Receipt (get a signature) – no exceptions – that way, if OPM claims they “never received it,” you’ll have proof otherwise;
- Call OPM after a reasonable amount of time to check on where your documents are in the pipeline.
Of course, the best way to avoid having your FERS or CSRS disability application lost is to retain an attorney experienced in FERS/CSRS disability law before filing your application. An attorney will make sure to send it properly, track it properly, and will be prepared, with proof, if OPM reports they never received it.