To receive RRB Disability you must prove you are medically disabled from all regular work (Total Disability) or from you regular railroad occupation (Occupational Disability) and have the required hours of creditable railroad service.

A Total Disability Annuity requires

1. 10 years of railroad service, OR
2. 5 to 9 years of railroad service, if at least 5 years were after 1995, AND that you have enough current credits under the Social Security system to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.

An Occupational Disability Annuity is payable

1. at any age if you have 20 years of railroad service or at age 60 if you have 10 years of railroad service, AND
2. you have a “Current Connection” with the railroad industry.

A “Current Connection” requirement is met if

1. you worked for a railroad in at least 12 of the 30 months immediately preceding the annuity start date, OR
2. you worked for a railroad at least 12 months in an earlier 30 month period if you performed no full or part-time regular job outside of the railroad industry after the end of the 30 month period.

RRB Disability medical and years of service requirements can be extremely confusing. Our firm has specialized in only disability cases for over 40 years. For a free phone consultation call the RRB DISABILITY LAWYERS law firm at 800-331-3530 and asked for attorney JB Bieske or Jennifer Alfonsi. We will honestly evaluate your situation and advise you accordingly.