Attorney Profiles

On February 27, 2009, lawmakers once again introduced a bill that would allow retired federal employees and military personnel to pay for their health insurance with pre-tax earnings. Much like the rest of the country, federal employees have seen more than 50% increases in their premiums in the last eight years. It also would allow active-duty military personnel to apply a pre-tax rebate to the supplemental insurance premiums to cover what Tricare does not. Read More...

On May 20, 2009, a bill was introduced (H.R. 2517) in the House of Representatives to provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. These benefits include health insurance, retirement and disability benefits, family, medical and emergency leave, Federal Group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, benefits for disability, death or captivity, travel, and transportation and related payments and benefits. Read More...

QUESTION: Can I collect Workers’ Compensation and FERS disability at the same time?

ANSWER: No, you cannot collect both benefits at the same time. However, you should review both benefits programs to see which pays out more. If you elect to collect Workers’ Compensation, it still is a good idea to file for FERS since the FERS deadline firmly is one year after separation from service. At least your FERS application will be on file at OPM should you chance your mind about which benefits to collect.

For federal employees seeking to make a disability claim under the FERS/CSRS disability retirement system, sometimes just knowing whether you are eligible to make such a claim can be confusing and complicated.

And although the terms defined in the FERS Disability Manual are meant to help you determine disability eligibility, sorting through those definitions can be annoying, at best, and impossible, at worst, when you are struggling to deal with an illness or injury.