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Frequently Asked Questions About NYS Disability Retirement
Who Can File an application?
You can file a disability retirement application yourself, or someone may be authorized to file on your behalf, such as your attorney, a power of attorney, or a court-appointed guardian. In most cases, your employer also has the authority to file.
Before filing, review your plan booklet to determine eligibility requirements for disability benefits.
What Forms do I need to file?
Different disability applications exist based on your tier, retirement plan, and disability claim. If your personnel office can’t provide the form or you’re unsure which application to complete, contact our Contact Center for assistance.
If you’re eligible for both service and disability retirement, or more than one type of disability retirement, consider filing all applications simultaneously. This is called “filing without prejudice,” which means we’ll process them simultaneously. Write “file without prejudice” at the top of each application. If multiple retirement benefits are approved, choose which one to receive.
Note: If you file a service retirement application with a disability retirement application, and the disability application is denied, your service retirement application may only be withdrawn before your effective date of retirement.
- Proof of birth date is required before benefits are paid. Include a photocopy of a document verifying your birthdate, such as a birth certificate, New York State driver’s license, marriage certificate, passport, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214), baptismal certificate, or naturalization papers.
When do I need to file?
Each disability benefit type has filing requirements and minimum service requirements. Failing to meet these deadlines makes you ineligible. Find specific eligibility and filing requirements in your plan booklet. File an option election form when applying for disability retirement, especially if terminally ill.
If mailing via “certified mail, return receipt requested,” the postmark is the filing date. If using regular mail, a legible postmark serves as the filing date if you die between mailing and receipt.
File while on the payroll to minimize financial hardship during processing.
How are applications processed?
Once we receive your application, we’ll review it to ensure it meets filing requirements, such as proper signing, sufficient service credit, and timely filing.
If you’re terminally ill, file an option election form when applying for disability retirement. If approved, you can change your option selection.
To be eligible for disability retirement, you must meet all requirements, including filing after death due to a disability-related cause, having a valid option election form, and meeting specific service credit criteria. If approved, your application becomes effective the day before your death.
We’ll send an acknowledgment letter, benefits estimate, and inform your employer about your application.
Your application may be denied for non-health-related reasons, such as late filing or insufficient service credit. If denied, a denial determination will be sent.
If you believe the denial is incorrect and meet eligibility requirements, you can request a review within four months of the medical evaluation date.
If your application meets the filing requirements, the medical evaluation process begins. We’ll request medical reports and documentation from listed doctors, hospitals, and treatment facilities. Include Workers’ Compensation doctors’ names and addresses. Be careful; incomplete information may delay the process. Sending copies of pertinent medical information expedites your claim.
Upon receiving the required documentation, we may ask you to see an independent medical examiner for your disability. The doctor’s report will be sent to us. The Retirement System will pay for the exam.
After gathering medical information, your application will be reviewed by a medical or administrative review board. We’ll notify you and your employer (and your attorney if represented) of the action taken.
If approved, we’ll send an estimate of your benefits under available payment options. If you haven’t chosen a pension option, select one by the date provided in the estimate cover letter. If you’ve chosen an option, you can change it.
If approved for multiple benefits, choose which one to receive.
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