SERS Disability

Employees who are members of the School Employees Retirement System of Ohio (SERS) may be eligible for a monthly benefit if they are unable to continue working in their usual position of employment due to a medical condition – either physical or mental.  At Agee Clymer, we have helped hundreds of people across Ohio obtain their disability benefits.

SERS Eligibility

To qualify for SERS Disability benefits, a member must:

• Have at least five (5) years of total service credit (60 months).
• File an application for disability benefits no more than two (2) years from the date that the contributing service stopped.
• The member is incapable of performing his or her current job duties or the job duties of their last SERS-covered position. The disabling condition does not need to have occurred at or have been caused by work – it can be an off-duty illness or injury.
• The disability must be expected to last at least 12 months from the time of filing. Disability benefits are not given for temporary illnesses or injuries.
• The member cannot already be receiving an age and service retirement benefit or have received a refund of their contributions.
• For those who qualify under the old plan, a member must file a disability application before the age of 60; under the new plan, he or she may apply at any age.

Appeals for SERS Disability

An appeals process exists for employees in one of two circumstances: A denied application or a termination of benefits. The time period to request an appeal is limited, so contacting a SERS disability attorney as soon as possible is recommended.

How Agee Clymer Can Help

Navigating the SERS disability process can be difficult, but the experienced attorneys of Agee Clymer Mitchell & Portman are available to help.  The best time to contact an Agee Clymer attorney is before you file your SERS disability application so that we may walk you through the application process and advise you as to the best time to file.

Your initial consultation is completely free. If you need an attorney to assist with your SERS disability claim, contact us today.