I'll be turning 65 in a few months and am wondering whether my WC will be
effected.  Will I be thrown off and put on social security?

Sorry for the delay in replying.  We had a household emergency with my
aged mother-in-law.

No, you won't be thrown off-- unless the Republicans succeed in getting
new legislation through.
Workers' comp will continue as though you were 35.  You can file for
both.   However, if you do get Social Security, the part of your Social
Security benefit that is attributable to your work under FERS will be
subtracted from your workers' comp.    It may not be to your advantage,
because the workers' comp is exempt from federal income tax.   Medicare
does not hurt anything.

-----Original Message-----
From: skmackie <skmackie@...>
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Mar 11, 2011 6:37 pm
Subject: [owcp] 65




I'll be turning 65 in a few months and am wondering whether my WC will
be effected. Will I be thrown off and put on social security?

A relief to hear that.  And thanks.

--- In owcp@yahoogroups.com, Budgiehawk <Budgiehawk@...> wrote:
>
>
> Sorry for the delay in replying.  We had a household emergency with my
> aged mother-in-law.
>
> No, you won't be thrown off-- unless the Republicans succeed in getting
> new legislation through.
> Workers' comp will continue as though you were 35.  You can file for
> both.   However, if you do get Social Security, the part of your Social
> Security benefit that is attributable to your work under FERS will be
> subtracted from your workers' comp.    It may not be to your advantage,
> because the workers' comp is exempt from federal income tax.   Medicare
> does not hurt anything.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: skmackie <skmackie@...>
> To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Fri, Mar 11, 2011 6:37 pm
> Subject: [owcp] 65
>
>
>
>
> I'll be turning 65 in a few months and am wondering whether my WC will
> be effected. Will I be thrown off and put on social security?
>

You are welcome.




-----Original Message-----
From: skmackie <skmackie@...>
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 3:49 pm
Subject: [owcp] Re: 65




A relief to hear that. And thanks.

--- In owcp@yahoogroups.com, Budgiehawk <Budgiehawk@...> wrote:
>
>
> Sorry for the delay in replying. We had a household emergency with my
> aged mother-in-law.
>
> No, you won't be thrown off-- unless the Republicans succeed in
getting
> new legislation through.
> Workers' comp will continue as though you were 35. You can file for
> both. However, if you do get Social Security, the part of your Social
> Security benefit that is attributable to your work under FERS will be
> subtracted from your workers' comp. It may not be to your advantage,
> because the workers' comp is exempt from federal income tax. Medicare
> does not hurt anything.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: skmackie <skmackie@...>
> To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Fri, Mar 11, 2011 6:37 pm
> Subject: [owcp] 65
>
>
>
>
> I'll be turning 65 in a few months and am wondering whether my WC
will
> be effected. Will I be thrown off and put on social security?
>

I can't offer much help other than to say that I had to call every
doctor in the phone book to find one who would work with me.  I wouldn't
worry about your country director.  I get the distinct impression that
Peace Corps and OWCP are on different planets. -- Felicia

On 4/1/2011 1:21 PM, zoopdsm3 wrote:
> Hello, everyone -
>
> I have looked through some of the older messages - you all obviously have a
good deal of experience with OWCP - is there -any- nonprofit organization that
helps volunteers deal with OWCP?
>
> I am on the verge of tears some days - no need to go into details - but I have
had to deal with a terribly serious medical problem that arose toward the end of
my service; getting the claim approved took a very long time, and now I cannot
find a specialist in the area who will accept FECA payments. I live near several
major teaching hospitals, and none will take my payments, and I can't use my
private insurance because my claim has been accepted now. Being reimbursed for
many past medical payments is taking a terribly long time - ACS has lost my
paperwork, taken weeks to respond to my internist regarding his re-enrollment -
so I can't get the blood work he ordered; I was given terribly incorrect
information when I called a few weeks ago; one time I was hung up on. I am
working hard to be healthy for graduate school, which I had to defer a year
because of this problem, but dealing with the Peace Corps and Workman's
Compensation has taken so much time. There is a good hospit
al
>   near me that offers the services I need, but I can't use FECA there. I have
lost a tremendous amount of money, and it took a while for me to get to a point
where I was able to work as quickly as I used to; I am still not there yet, but
I'm doing the best I can - I have been trying to stay with my family until
school starts. I have found some work now, but I lived off savings a long time,
so paying out of pocket for medical expenses would be very difficult.
>
> I met with my congresswoman, but I don't figure she can really do anything,
and I don't want to submit documentation to her that would jeopardize my
recommendation from the country director while I am searching for work - I not
sure that I can afford school now. I am trying to find anyone who has been in a
similar situation and has been able to get any help from a nonprofit
organization or some such sort to help getting into doctor's offices and getting
reimbursements, etc. I am still young and have had a very successful career - I
really don't want this to keep standing in my way. School starts in only four
months, and I need to try to be healthier by then.
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP.  We can't ask for
anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would get
that.  However, one thing that we could ask for - quite reasonably, I
think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
questions, and what our options are when we have problems.  I am sent to
second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given only two
weeks notice.  Since they are now requiring that I leave the state for
this, it is quite difficult for me.  Could I get more notice?  What am I
supposed to do when I travel?

I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the OWCP.  I
have gotten no response.  Perhaps if we all put together a few questions
(like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my workers'
comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application process
by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into a letter
and then each of us could send it to our senators.  It is one thing for
us to ask for someone to be hired to help us.  It is another to ask to
be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.

-- Felicia

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous.  Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them.  However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
>     In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
>     staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
>     that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
>     In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>     felicia@... writes:
>
>         I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
>         senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
>         ask for
>         anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
>         get
>         that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
>         reasonably, I
>         think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
>         questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
>         sent to
>         second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
>         only two
>         weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
>         state for
>         this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
>         What am I
>         supposed to do when I travel?
>
>         I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
>         OWCP. I
>         have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
>         questions
>         (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
>         workers'
>         comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
>         disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
>         process
>         by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
>         a letter
>         and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
>         thing for
>         us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
>         ask to
>         be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
>         -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything.  One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented.  The guy was about to lose his
house.


-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info





Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 


My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt


  From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info


 


As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>








Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 


My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt


  From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info


 


As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

I'm with the American Federation of Government Employees.  Although
representing people in workers' comp is not technically our union's
responsibility, I couldn't leave the folks without help.  SSA
management is untrained and sometimes unwilling to help.


-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Apr 8, 2011 1:00 pm
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info





In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>





In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Thank you.  I'm happy to help.


-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Apr 8, 2011 3:07 pm
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info





Hi, I may have some questions for you. What a wonderful service you
provide and what a good soul you are.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 5:46:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I'm with the American Federation of Government Employees. Although
representing people in workers' comp is not technically our union's
responsibility, I couldn't leave the folks without help. SSA
management is untrained and sometimes unwilling to help.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Apr 8, 2011 1:00 pm
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>





Hi, I may have some questions for you. What a wonderful service you
provide and what a good soul you are.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 5:46:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I'm with the American Federation of Government Employees. Although
representing people in workers' comp is not technically our union's
responsibility, I couldn't leave the folks without help. SSA
management is untrained and sometimes unwilling to help.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Apr 8, 2011 1:00 pm
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

In what capacity do you "represent" people? Are you an advocate in some
way? This is interesting.
 

In a message dated 4/8/2011 1:00:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Budgiehawk@... writes:
 
I agree.

Most of the employees at OWCP are good people, but the agency is badly
understaffed so they are forced to rush through everything. One OWCP
employee who gave up a day of use-or-lose leave in order to approve
payment to an employee I represented. The guy was about to lose his
house.

-----Original Message-----
From: FourDirect@...
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, Apr 6, 2011 10:56 am
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

Yes, it is definitely worth doing! And it has yielded results with me.
Nancy
 

In a message dated 4/6/2011 1:46:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
krcorwin@... writes:
 

My experience has been that once the elected officials rattle their
cage they just do what they’re supposed to for awhile anyway.
Kurt

From: owcp@yahoogroups.com [mailto:owcp@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Felicia
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 8:09 AM
To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [owcp] Thoughts on Helpful Info

 

As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
earlier.

Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
cool with that. -- Felicia

On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork through
but
> it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
> step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
senator
> and not your state senator.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> Budgiehawk@... writes:
>
> In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
> staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
> that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
> In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
> I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
> senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
> ask for
> anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
> get
> that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
> reasonably, I
> think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
> questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
> sent to
> second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
> only two
> weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
> state for
> this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
> What am I
> supposed to do when I travel?
>
> I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
> OWCP. I
> have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
> questions
> (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
> workers'
> comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
> disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
> process
> by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
> a letter
> and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
> thing for
> us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
> ask to
> be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>
> -- Felicia
>
>
>
>

For anyone who is interested in contributing questions, please get them
to me by the end of the month (April 30, 2011).  I'll compile them and
produce a letter that can be sent to congresspeople. -- Felicia

On 4/6/2011 10:09 AM, FourDirect@... wrote:
>
>
> Yes, I think trying to obtain a list of rules would be good. If we can
> get one unified letter together. That's pretty much what we did with
> Kevin a few years back - we got one master letter that we all signed.
> I'm in if you want to initiate that. Then we can each send it to our own
> senators.
> Nancy
> In a message dated 4/6/2011 11:09:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> felicia@... writes:
>
>     As for the funding, I was referring to the ombudsman issues presented
>     earlier.
>
>     Also, if we each have to go through our senators each time we have a
>     problem with the OWCP, that is kind of ridiculous. Luckily, I have not
>     found it necessary to do that in the six years that I have had to work
>     with them. However, if the group is uninterested in my proposal, I'm
>     cool with that. -- Felicia
>
>     On 4/5/2011 6:40 PM, FourDirect@...
>     <mailto:FourDirect%40aol.com> wrote:
>      >
>      >
>      > Yes, but it is rarely that simple. It does get the paperwork
>     through but
>      > it doesn't ensure that other things are handled correctly. It is one
>      > step that people can take. Just make sure you go through your US
>     senator
>      > and not your state senator.
>      > In a message dated 4/5/2011 3:10:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>      > Budgiehawk@... <mailto:Budgiehawk%40aol.com> writes:
>      >
>      > In most cases no extra funding is needed. The senator already has a
>      > staff member who contacts OWCP. That makes the case a priority, one
>      > that the management makes sure is not handled wrongly.
>      > In a message dated 4/5/2011 2:58:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>      > felicia@... <mailto:felicia%40panix.com> writes:
>      >
>      > I've heard rumblings about people being interested in going to our
>      > senators again to try to get some help with the OWCP. We can't
>      > ask for
>      > anything that requires more funding, as there is no way we would
>      > get
>      > that. However, one thing that we could ask for - quite
>      > reasonably, I
>      > think - is a list of rules/what is expected of us, frequently asked
>      > questions, and what our options are when we have problems. I am
>      > sent to
>      > second opinion evaluations about every 18 months and am given
>      > only two
>      > weeks notice. Since they are now requiring that I leave the
>      > state for
>      > this, it is quite difficult for me. Could I get more notice?
>      > What am I
>      > supposed to do when I travel?
>      >
>      > I have put together a list of questions and sent them to the
>      > OWCP. I
>      > have gotten no response. Perhaps if we all put together a few
>      > questions
>      > (like "what should I do if no doctor in my area will take my
>      > workers'
>      > comp as insurance?" or "for volunteers who are so severely mentally
>      > disabled that they are unable to complete the FECA application
>      > process
>      > by themselves, how do they get assistance?"), compile them into
>      > a letter
>      > and then each of us could send it to our senators. It is one
>      > thing for
>      > us to ask for someone to be hired to help us. It is another to
>      > ask to
>      > be told the rules that we are supposed to live by.
>      >
>      > -- Felicia
>      >
>      >
>      >
>      >
>
>
>
>

Does anyone know when open season for health benefit selection ends?

I'm 65 and have been on worker's comp now for awhile due to respiratory problems
from being around so many chemicals at my job.  I've been working hard to
improve my lung function but I'm worried that I'll be thrown off worker's comp
if I completely succeed.

At my age and in this job market, it could be very hard to get reemployed.  If I
have significant or complete improvement, will I get tossed?  If so, could I get
some kind of job with the federal government?  Will I continue to get tested
every two years?

I asked and got nothing.  I'm part of a group (Abandoned by Peace Corps
- http://www.abandonedbypeacecorps.org/) that is working to help reform
the system so that we aren't in this position of knowing nothing.  If
you have questions that you need to be answered, let us know
(AbandonedByPeaceCorps@...) and eventually we may be able to help.
-- Felicia

On 4/30/2012 6:48 AM, Roger Landry wrote:
>
>
> i have ask the DOL/OWCP for any thing that would in prove my appeal
> writing ,set of rules that were written so i cold read them and
> understand the terms us by the DOL/OWCP.got noting but a one sheet
> document telling me the diffrent ways to appeal ,and a disclaimer sheet
> on the information laws ;Thy do not go out of ther way to help as long
> as we forgo ton people are here fighting to be giving a fare deal, thy
> have a good job
>
> Roger D. Landry
> colbyroger@...
> 8565 Sugar Pine Place
> Tomball, TX 77375
>
> --- On *Mon, 4/30/12, Andrew Sterioff /<apsterioff@...>/* wrote:
>
>
>     From: Andrew Sterioff <apsterioff@...>
>     Subject: Re: [owcp] Can I be thrown off WC?
>     To: "owcp@yahoogroups.com" <owcp@yahoogroups.com>
>     Date: Monday, April 30, 2012, 8:19 AM
>
>     You should write the Department of Labor for a copy of the rules or
>     the handbook that has the current laws written out so if they kick
>     you off, you have the rules with you to appeal. I think any decision
>     can be appealed.
>     Andy Sterioff
>
>     *From:* riw7124 <riw7124@...>
>     *To:* owcp@yahoogroups.com
>     *Sent:* Monday, April 30, 2012 1:16 AM
>     *Subject:* [owcp] Can I be thrown off WC?
>
>     I'm 65 and have been on worker's comp now for awhile due to
>     respiratory problems from being around so many chemicals at my job.
>     I've been working hard to improve my lung function but I'm worried
>     that I'll be thrown off worker's comp if I completely succeed.
>
>     At my age and in this job market, it could be very hard to get
>     reemployed. If I have significant or complete improvement, will I
>     get tossed? If so, could I get some kind of job with the federal
>     government? Will I continue to get tested every two years?
>
>
>
>
>
>

I thought the group in Florida was probably a scam.

I don't have a lot of hope that the system will get fixed, but I still
have to try. -- Felicia

On 4/30/2012 8:49 AM, Roger Landry wrote:
>
>
> I have seen so many try's to fix the system It is hard for me to fell
> excited,17 years of no help law people taking money and doing noting .I
> just sine on with a group in FL see attachment thy claimed to be retired
> OWCP people and what $125.00 a month to work on my claim.all they did in
> 7 mounts was send me to a clinic here in Houston called Federal Work
> ready who sent a driver to pick me up because i do not drive far and I
> got a check up ;I had just finished getting 2 evaluations in the same
> year for the DOL..For this service the billed me $900 i sent a complaint
> to the BBB but do not think i will see any rebate.
> I found a Federal Lawyer call Alan J. Shapiro 4469 Renaissance Parkway,
> Warrensville Heights , Ohio 44128. this laywer tells me no mone from me
> till he wins my claim and he gets 20% and i get 80% I find this a fare
> agreement.it took m,e 17 years to get some on to fight for me
>
> Roger D. Landry
> colbyroger@...
> 8565 Sugar Pine Place
> Tomball, TX 77375
>
> --- On *Mon, 4/30/12, Felicia /<felicia@...>/* wrote:
>
>
>     From: Felicia <felicia@...>
>     Subject: Re: [owcp] Can I be thrown off WC?
>     To: owcp@yahoogroups.com
>     Date: Monday, April 30, 2012, 10:25 AM
>
>     I asked and got nothing. I'm part of a group (Abandoned by Peace Corps
>     - http://www.abandonedbypeacecorps.org/) that is working to help reform
>     the system so that we aren't in this position of knowing nothing. If
>     you have questions that you need to be answered, let us know
>     (AbandonedByPeaceCorps@...
>     </mc/compose?to=AbandonedByPeaceCorps%40gmail.com>) and eventually
>     we may be able to help.
>     -- Felicia
>
>     On 4/30/2012 6:48 AM, Roger Landry wrote:
>      >
>      >
>      > i have ask the DOL/OWCP for any thing that would in prove my appeal
>      > writing ,set of rules that were written so i cold read them and
>      > understand the terms us by the DOL/OWCP.got noting but a one sheet
>      > document telling me the diffrent ways to appeal ,and a disclaimer
>     sheet
>      > on the information laws ;Thy do not go out of ther way to help as
>     long
>      > as we forgo ton people are here fighting to be giving a fare
>     deal, thy
>      > have a good job
>      >
>      > Roger D. Landry
>      > colbyroger@... </mc/compose?to=colbyroger%40yahoo.com>
>      > 8565 Sugar Pine Place
>      > Tomball, TX 77375
>      >
>      > --- On *Mon, 4/30/12, Andrew Sterioff /<apsterioff@...
>     </mc/compose?to=apsterioff%40yahoo.com>>/* wrote:
>      >
>      >
>      > From: Andrew Sterioff <apsterioff@...
>     </mc/compose?to=apsterioff%40yahoo.com>>
>      > Subject: Re: [owcp] Can I be thrown off WC?
>      > To: "owcp@yahoogroups.com
>     </mc/compose?to=owcp%40yahoogroups.com>" <owcp@yahoogroups.com
>     </mc/compose?to=owcp%40yahoogroups.com>>
>      > Date: Monday, April 30, 2012, 8:19 AM
>      >
>      > You should write the Department of Labor for a copy of the rules or
>      > the handbook that has the current laws written out so if they kick
>      > you off, you have the rules with you to appeal. I think any decision
>      > can be appealed.
>      > Andy Sterioff
>      >
>      > *From:* riw7124 <riw7124@...
>     </mc/compose?to=riw7124%40gmail.com>>
>      > *To:* owcp@yahoogroups.com </mc/compose?to=owcp%40yahoogroups.com>
>      > *Sent:* Monday, April 30, 2012 1:16 AM
>      > *Subject:* [owcp] Can I be thrown off WC?
>      >
>      > I'm 65 and have been on worker's comp now for awhile due to
>      > respiratory problems from being around so many chemicals at my job.
>      > I've been working hard to improve my lung function but I'm worried
>      > that I'll be thrown off worker's comp if I completely succeed.
>      >
>      > At my age and in this job market, it could be very hard to get
>      > reemployed. If I have significant or complete improvement, will I
>      > get tossed? If so, could I get some kind of job with the federal
>      > government? Will I continue to get tested every two years?
>      >
>      >
>      >
>      >
>      >
>      >
>
>
>
>

Thanks for the replies.  Looks like it is a murky area.  I was never in the
Peace Corps but worked for the Dept. of Defense and was a career status
employee.

--- In owcp@yahoogroups.com, "riw7124" <riw7124@...> wrote:
>
> I'm 65 and have been on worker's comp now for awhile due to respiratory
problems from being around so many chemicals at my job.  I've been working hard
to improve my lung function but I'm worried that I'll be thrown off worker's
comp if I completely succeed.
>
> At my age and in this job market, it could be very hard to get reemployed.  If
I have significant or complete improvement, will I get tossed?  If so, could I
get some kind of job with the federal government?  Will I continue to get tested
every two years?
>

Does anyone know a good worker's comp attorney?  I live in Washington state. 
Seems best if I try to contact a lawyer to get my questions answered.