If you qualify for PERA retirement in Minnesota, you may be under the impression that the process is always straightforward and you will have nothing to worry about. For many people that is true, but there are cases where people run into roadblocks when attempting to have a claim handled. If you are one of those people, you should act quickly to get a professional involved. A law office that has experience handling PERA claims will provide the best results.
The PERA Disability Process
If you qualify for a retirement plan under PERA, there is a provision in place to handle instances where you may experience an injury or illness that prohibits you from working. If you develop a psychological or physical condition that prevents you from working for at least a year, you may qualify for a monthly payment before the age where you would normally retire.
This benefit is not automatic, there is a process in place to determine eligibility. The employee must first contact PERA to initiate the process. They will receive an estimate on the amount they will receive for disability, an application that must be completed, and paperwork explaining the process and required documentation.
The employee should have already discusses whether there is a role for them in their current employment situation, where their duties can be modified to adjust for the ailment. If that is not possible, they will require a minimum of two medical reports justifying the opinion. If PERA declines the claim, the appeal process is handled through an administrative law judge. If you qualify for PERA retirement in Minnesota and are unable to work until retirement age, consulting with a law firm to handle your claim can streamline the process and maximize your chance of a successful claim.