How to Apply for Disability in Railroad Retirement
The Railroad retirement, disability and insurance polices are quite different than traditional plans in their structure system. For starters, it is backed by The Railroad Retirement Act, which provides annuities to both disabled and retired railroad workers. Any employee that is seeking disability must contact the board instead of their employer.
What You'll Need:
- Contact information for Railroad Retirement Board member
- Railroad Retirement Board policy information
- You'll first need to establish whether or not you plan to apply for total or occupational disability. You can review your medical records to further instruct you with your decision. If there is evidence that shows you are completely unable to work for a period greater than 12 months, you are eligible to receive full benefits. However, if the disability only prevents you from doing your current type of work but your capable of performing other duties, you are considered eligible for occupational disability.
- Once you've obtained the contact information of a Railroad Retirement Board member contact him or her for more information. The board member will be able to discuss in further detail the type of disability you plan to apply for, total or occupational. Typically, speaking directly with a board member can even help to speed up the application process by expediting your claim.
- Gather all your supporting medical evidence and submit it along with your claim for disability. Your evidence should include the exact dates of any hospitalizations, any medications as well as your doctor's name and contact information. In some instances you may even be required to undergo a medical exam performed by a board certified doctor. The greater and more precise your collection of evidence the greater your chances of a smooth and fast approval.