If you become mentally or physically unable to handle your own money, a family member or someone who is able to help you should contact us as soon as possible. When your family member or friends contact us, we will give them full instructions on what to do to take care of your retirement benefit for you. They will be asked for identifying information such as your claim number, name, and Social Security Number, as well as the name and address of the person responsible for your care.

The Office of Personnel Management does not recognize Powers of Attorney filings. If you are responsible for the care or custody of a person who is either mentally or physically unable to handle his or her own money, you should contact us as soon as possible. Contact us to determine how to reach us. We will give you full instructions on what to do to take care of the benefits. You should provide the claim number, name, and Social Security Number of the disabled person as well as the name and address of the responsible person.

When we approve your application for disability retirement, we may determine that based on your medical condition you will periodically have to provide us with current medical information in order to continue receiving benefits.

You do. If you do not fulfill the request for evidence of continuing disability, it is likely that your benefit payments could be suspended until your continuing eligibility is established.

Generally, you must decide which benefit is most advantageous for you and elect to receive that one. If you decide you want to receive OWCP benefits, payments from the Office of Personnel Management will be suspended. But, if your OWCP benefits stop, you can ask us to pay your disability benefit. You can receive an OWCP Scheduled Award and the Office of Personnel Management benefits at the same time.

Contact us to tell us if you are awarded workers' compensation benefits and see if you need to make an election between benefits.