To receive the disability benefits described in this booklet, you must file an application form. This chapter will explain the forms you must file to receive a disability benefit.
To expedite filing for a disability annuity, you or a family member should call or write the nearest Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) field office to schedule an appointment. For the appointment, bring in any medical evidence in your possession and any medical records you can secure from your treating physicians.
A. Disability Annuity
To receive monthly disability annuity payments, Form AA-1d, Application for Determination of Employee's Disability, must be filed with Form AA-1, Application for Employee Annuity, and Form G-251, Vocational Report.
If you have filed for a disability annuity, you are automatically considered for a period of disability and early Medicare coverage.
B. Period of Disability and Early Medicare Coverage
If you have already received a monthly railroad retirement annuity payment, you may file Forms AA-1d and G-251 for the period of disability and early Medicare coverage. Normally, you would do this if you:
- are disabled and applied for, or are already receiving, monthly annuity payments based on 30 years of railroad service at age 60 or later, or
- receive monthly disability payments but you did not previously qualify for a period of disability or early Medicare coverage when your annuity began.