Application Forms

To receive the disability benefits described in this publication, you must file an application form. This section will explain the forms you need for the disability benefit for which you are filing.

Disability Annuity

To receive monthly disability annuity payments, Form AA-17b, "Application for Determination of Widow(er)'s Disability", must be filed along with Form AA-17, "Application for Widow(er)'s Annuity". Form G-251, "Vocational Report", is also required if you have ever worked.

If you have filed for a disability annuity, you are automatically considered for early Medicare.

Early Medicare Coverage

If you already receive a monthly railroad retirement annuity payment, you may file Form AA-17b for early Medicare coverage. Normally, you would do this if:

• you are disabled and applied for, or are already receiving, regular monthly annuity payments based on age or caring for a child of the employee, or
   
• you receive monthly disability annuity payments but you did not previously qualify for early Medicare coverage when your annuity began.

See Part III for more information on early Medicare coverage.

Medical Evidence

When you apply for any type of disability benefit, it is your responsibility to prove to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) that you are permanently disabled (see Part V, Item 5, for the definition of permanently disabled). You must provide or tell us about any evidence which may show that you are disabled.

How to Furnish Evidence

You may furnish medical evidence in 3 ways:

• We will give you a report form for your personal physician to complete. In this way, we can get information about your condition from the medical source who knows you best.
   
• We will ask you to sign an authorization to release to the RRB any hospital, clinic, or employer records about your condition.
   
• We may ask you to be examined at the RRB's expense if more evidence is needed to:
   
  • obtain more detailed or specialized medical findings about your condition, or
  • resolve conflicts or differences in the evidence already in file.

Acceptable Sources of Medical Evidence

The following are some of the acceptable sources of medical evidence.

• Licensed physicians
• Licensed osteopaths
• Licensed or certified psychologists
• Licensed optometrists
• Persons authorized to send copies or summaries of the medical records of hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, medical institutions or health care facilities

Other Sources of Information

Sometimes other sources can provide information important to making a decision about your ability to work, such as:

• public and private social welfare agencies;
• other practitioners (for example, naturopaths, chiropractors, audiologists, etc.); or
• non-medical observations (for example, from a vocational consultant).

Failure to Submit Evidence

It is in your best interest to fully cooperate if medical or other evidence is needed so that the decision on your claim will be made as quickly as possible and be based on the best information available.

If you fail to submit medical evidence that is needed and requested, a decision will be made based on the evidence available.

If you fail or refuse without good cause to report for an examination scheduled and paid for by the RRB, it may be decided that you are not disabled.

After You Return Your Application

After the RRB receives your completed application and all the needed evidence, we will decide if you are entitled to disability benefits.

If we decide you cannot receive disability benefits, the RRB will send you a notice explaining why we made that decision and what you can do if you disagree with our decision.

If you can receive disability benefits, you will receive a notice that shows the amount of your monthly payments and other information about your benefits.

Sometimes we cannot make a decision on your application without additional information. If this is the case, you will be contacted by an RRB representative by telephone or mail. You may be asked to send us additional forms, proofs, or statements that are needed. You may also be asked to report for a medical examination.

Unless you receive a request for additional information, we will notify you of our decision about your application in 4 months or less. If you do not hear from us within that time, contact the nearest RRB office.

Periodic Review of Disability

Your case may be periodically reviewed to determine if your condition is still severe enough to prevent you from working. This is necessary to see if your disability annuity or early Medicare coverage should continue.

When your case is reviewed, we may ask you for information and evidence or to report for a medical examination.

Information and Assistance

Any time you need information and assistance, you may contact the nearest office of the RRB. In addition to the personal attention you will receive, special booklets and printed material are available. To locate the nearest RRB office, visit our Web site at http://www.rrb.gov/field/field.asp or call our toll-free Help Line at 1-800-808-0772.