Q. I resigned from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2015 to pursue a new career in the private sector, but am now unemployed. Being born with profound hearing loss – both ears – I just found out I should qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. If approved, can I apply for FERS disability? I’m 53 with 28 years federal service.
A. No. You can only apply for disability retirement if you are an employee. That’s because you’d have to prove that you’re disabled for useful and efficient service in your current position and any other vacant position at the same grade of pay level for which you are qualified.
2 Comments
I got VER from Postal today and I am 56 and I do qualify for Ssdi because I am Deaf .. I don’t get federal disability fers .. just regular ver .. can I get vcr fers and Ssdi without affecting each other’s? Until 62? Let say. I apply for federal disability and I get Ssdi. They do affect each other’s
In both cases the answer is yes.