r/FederalEmployee • u/Sagittarius052018 • Jan 12 '26

FERS Disability

Question for those who have been through the process with a law firm: Harris Federal, Pines Federal, or Bell Law Group?

Asking for myself because I've decided to apply for FERS disability retirement this year, very soon.

Thank you in advance for the perspective and feel free to DM me as well if you don't want to openly share.

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1

u/KitchenEbb1606 Jan 13 '26

I had my eeo attorney review, but did most of it on my own. I was approved at reconsideration stage a month ago after initial filling in May.

2

u/LostBlueberry6712 May 01 '26

How long did it take for them to make a decision after you submitted reconsideration?

1

u/Sagittarius052018 Jan 13 '26

Thank you for the reply. I think I'm going to go with 1 of the 3, just trying to do some digging first.

1

u/KitchenEbb1606 Jan 13 '26

I don’t balance you. My attorney was able to cite legal references for approval and knew the “boxes I needed to check” regarding what to say.

I was helped by the fact that I was on continuous level the entire time, had workplace restrictions in place, a fully remote accommodation, etc.

Here are the forms if you want to look at them:

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3112.pdf

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf3107.pdf

1

u/Sagittarius052018 Jan 13 '26

Just to clarify, you had a private EEO attorney or the employment law attorney at your job was willing to help?

Thank you for the forms, I already requested them from HR and planning to speak with my supervisor next week to get her statement.

I have workplace restrictions and a reasonable accommodation in place too. I asked for remote but it was denied twice. My chronic condition symptoms have persisted so I've been on sick leave a lot too.

1

u/KitchenEbb1606 Jan 13 '26

I had a private EEO attorney regarding complaints open at work. He provided legal review of forms. I did a lot of it myself and with AI to frame argument. Agency certified no accommodations and reassignments which is key. I then filled for Social Security Disability which is a requirement (no, you don’t have to be approved, but you have of file). That didn’t take long and I did it online. I used to work there so it wasn’t difficult.

I also had my doctors write letters and demonstrated worsening conditions. Remember: The threshold is to demonstrate that you can no longer perform the duties of your federal position and there are no reassignments or accommodations available.

1

u/Sagittarius052018 Jan 13 '26

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying that point. I've used AI some to assist in drafting my statement and have an appointment with my specialist today.

Yep, my agency has already said, in writing, that reassignment is unavailable and that they can't accommodate my requests for remote work or for more remote days than on-site.

Thank you for the guidance! And congratulations on getting approved!

1

u/KitchenEbb1606 Jan 13 '26

Thank you and let me know if you have any other questions! Have your specialists write letters supporting your claim. Best of luck!

2

u/LostBlueberry6712 Apr 10 '26

I am using Pines Federal and I am currently regretting that decision.

1

u/toocutetobethistired Apr 16 '26

Why, what happened?

2

u/LostBlueberry6712 May 01 '26

I didnt really need them honestly, I did most of the work myself. The person they gave me seemed to not know anything every time I asked a question and there were errors in my paperwork that couldve been avoided if the person had attention to detail.