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.

Additionally, your application for disability retirement must include documentation supporting your claim of disability (e.g., x-rays, CAT scans, physician’s reports, etc.).

NYCERS recommends you provide all supporting documentation 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, so 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
• 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, as soon as it is possible to do so. 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.

Additionally, members filing for an Accident Disability must include:

• An Accident or Incident Report prepared by you and your manager or supervisor, completely describing all the injuries and the events surrounding them. (This report is most valuable if it is written at the time of the accident/incident.)

How Can I Provide My Supporting Documents?

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.

NYCERS recommends all members considering filing for disability retirement do so before separating from City service.

If you are no longer employed by the City, check the disability retirement filing requirements for your Tier and Plan at nycers.org/plan-descriptions.