QUESTION
Should SS count a Schedule Award as income even though IRS, OWCP and OPM doesn''t?
Asked on Dec 23rd, 2011 on Social Security Disability - North Carolina
More details to this question:
I am a Postal disability retiree since 2/09. I applied for SS disability and was told that I was approved but was ineligible because of receiving a Schedule Award. OPM asserts that since I was ''approved'' by SS then I owe them $24,000 back pay even though I did not receive any money from SS.
1 ANSWER
The rules that coordinate benefits between SSA and OWCP
or whoever made your decision for federal retirement benefits are not always
nice, and don't always coordinate.
However, as you describe it, the left hand doesn't know what the right
hand is doing, or the timing of the sharing of information isn't up-to-date.
My recommendation is to appeal both decisions and clearly
state the facts for both entities. It
may take a lot of paperwork and more than one appeal, but it should sort itself
out. The SSA outcome will likely not change, but I should think you won't have to reimburse money to the Federal Government dollars that you were not paid.
Click here for more information about "Reduction to Offset Workers' Compensation or Public Disability Benefits."
Answered on Dec 23rd, 2011 at 9:19 PM