Supporting Medical Evidence Required with Your Disability Retirement Application

Your application for disability retirement must list all disabling conditions preventing you from performing the duties of your job. Disabling conditions not listed on your application will not be considered when your case is deliberated.

Provide all medical evidence and supporting documentation related to your disabling conditions at the time you submit your disability retirement application. If that is not possible, submit your application first and provide the supporting documents as soon as you can.

Your disability case cannot move forward without all required supporting documents. It is in your best interest to provide all required documents as quickly as possible.

What Documents am I Required to Provide?

All applicants for disability retirement must provide the following documents:

• Physician’s Report of Disability – Form #606
• General Authorization for Medical Information – Form #608
• Questionnaire for Disability Retirement Applicants – Form #609
• Authorization for Release of Information – Form #615
• Medical Evidence: Submit all medical documents (such as X-rays, CT Scans, MRI films, and reports from private physicians, etc.) that support your claim for disability.
• Non-Medical Evidence: Submit additional documents that are not medical, but which support the disability application. Examples include: Power Of Attorney (POA) documents, and personal statements/records that describe your physical and mental limitations in regards to completing ordinary activities.

Members filing under RSSL §506 – Social Security Dependent Ordinary Disability or RSSL §507 – Social Security Dependent Accident Disability must also include:

• Proof of filing for a Primary Social Security Disability Award within 60 days of applying for disability retirement with NYCERS.
• Your Social Security Administration Award letter within 60 days of its receipt.

How Can I Provide My Supporting Documents?

If you are filing online, you will be prompted to upload your supporting documents as part of the MyNYCERS online disability application.

If you are unable to provide all supporting documents at the time you file your application, you can:

1. Upload documents online anytime via your secure MyNYCERS account.
2. Mail to 335 Adams Street, Suite 2300, Brooklyn NY 11201 (ATT: Disability Unit).
3. Bring in person to NYCERS’ Walk-in Center at 340 Jay Street in downtown Brooklyn.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, the quickest and easiest way to file for disability retirement benefits is by submitting your application online:

1. Log in to your account at mynycers.org.
   New to MyNYCERS? Visit nycers.org/how-to-register.
2. Click the “Apply for” link in the navigation bar, then select “Disability Retirement.”
3. Follow the instructions to provide details about your disability, upload supporting documents, and submit your application.

Some plans require you to file for disability retirement while you are still on payroll or on an authorized medical leave. Check the disability retirement filing requirements for your Tier and Plan at nycers.org/plan-descriptions before separating from City service.

Please note the following:

1. If you apply for and receive a refund of your contributions, your NYCERS membership will be terminated, and your disability application will not be processed.
2. Members filing for Accident Disability – Your case cannot move forward until an Accident or Incident Report describing all your injuries and the events surrounding them is provided to NYCERS by your Agency. This report is most valuable if it is written at the time of the accident/incident. If you and your manager or supervisor did not prepare such a report at the time of your accident/incident, contact your agency and arrange to prepare one as soon as possible.
3. If you plan to have surgery for any of the disabling conditions you list on your disability application, notify your disability case manager.
4. If you are, or become, terminally or gravely ill, notify NYCERS by completing a Terminal or Grave Illness Notification form, available at nycers.org/grave-illness-notice.