Disability Benefits

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about disability benefits.

• What happens if I am unable to handle my own money?
• Does The Office of Personnel Management recognize Powers of Attorney?
• Do I have to get periodic medical exams to keep my disability benefit?
• If I have to get periodic medical exams to keep my disability benefit, who pays for them?
• Can I receive disability benefits from the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) at the same time?

What happens if I am unable to handle my own money?

Please refer to our answers about payment information.

Does the Office of Personnel Management recognize powers of attorney?

Please refer to our answer about powers of attorney.

Do I have to get periodic medical exams to keep my disability benefit?

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.

If I have to get periodic medical exams to keep my disability benefit, who pays for them?

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.

Can I receive disability benefits from the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) at the same time?

Generally, you must decide which benefit is most advantageous for you and elect to receive that one. If you decide you want to receive Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (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.

Refer to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) for additional information about workers' compensation benefits.