Separation Allowance (severance pay, buyout)

If you have been paid a separation allowance by your employer, you cannot receive sickness benefits for approximately the period of time it would have taken you to earn the amount of the allowance.

False or Fraudulent Claim

You will be disqualified for both unemployment and sickness benefits for 75 days if you make a false or fraudulent statement or claim in order to receive benefits. You may also be subject to fine or imprisonment. The RRB conducts checks, including computer matching checks, with State and Federal agencies as well as railroads, in order to detect fraudulent benefit claims.

Benefits Under Other Laws

You will be disqualified from receiving railroad sickness insurance benefits for any day for which you:

• receive sickness benefits under any other law; or
   
• receive unemployment benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act or any similar law.

Medical Examination

In certain situations you may be required to be examined by a doctor selected by the RRB. If you fail to take the medical examination when required, you may be disqualified from receiving sickness benefits.