What's in it for my agency?! As a busy benefits professional, you may be wondering why you should encourage employees to participate in FEDMER. There are many advantages of participating in FEDMER:

	SSA and OPM get documents faster SSA and OPM will get important documents much quicker. This will streamline the application and payment process for both OPM and SSA. The employee will receive expedited service and therefore will not need to contact you as frequently with processing questions.
	Reduce Unnecessary SSA Denials SSA denies many disability applicants for Substantial Gainful Employment (SGA) because it receives inadequate information about an employee's exact status. SGA means that the employee is currently working and receiving pay. Many times disability applicants are receiving pay for leave and are not working. These employees should not receive SGA denials from SSA. Under FEDMER the agency tells SSA on the Statement of Participation form what the employee's work status is. This will avoid unnecessary SGA denials from SSA.
	One Stop Shopping The employee will apply for both SSA and FERS disability benefits through their agency. Not only will this expedite the handling of the applications, it will also reduce the number of inquiries to HR specialists concerning the SSA application process.
	Improved Customer Service The HR specialist can take a more active role in assisting the employees they service through one of life's most difficult challenges. Disabled employees are coping with a very difficult life change. They are moving from a working adult to a disabled retiree. The complexities of the FERS system make this already difficult transition even more difficult. FEDMER allows agencies to put the tools in place to provide FERS disability retirees with the same high quality service OPM and employing agencies give other retirees. FERS disability benefits are far more complex then CSRS disability benefits. FERS requires an offset for SSA and up to three re-computations of the FERS annuity. These complexities demand more attention on the part of OPM and the agencies to assist employees with their FERS disability retirement.
	Faster Closure on Applications Since the FEDMER process works so efficiently, agencies will have closure more quickly when an employee files for disability benefits.
	Find more details about the entire FEDMER process on the FEDMER Participation Fact Sheet.

Find Resources, references, and guides to assist yourself and your employees through the entire FEDMER process.

Still have questions?! Find answers to commonly asked questions concerning all aspects of the FEDMER test pilot program in the Frequently Asked Questions.