Policy and Systems

After You Return Your Application

After the RRB receives your completed application and all the needed evidence, the RRB will decide if you are entitled to disability benefits.

If we decide you cannot receive disability benefits, the RRB will send you a notice explaining why we made that decision and what you can do if you disagree with our decision.

If you can receive disability benefits, you will receive a notice that shows the amount of your monthly payments and other information about your benefits.

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Qualification Requirements

Only qualified employees can receive benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. A new benefit year begins every July 1. To qualify for benefits in a benefit year, you must have creditable railroad earnings in the preceding calendar year (base year), counting no more than a certain amount in any month. In addition, a new employee must have railroad service in at least 5 months of his or her first year of work in order to be eligible for benefits in the following benefit year.

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Introduction

If you are sick or injured, you may be eligible to receive sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). This booklet provides information about the requirements for receiving sickness benefits, the amount of benefits payable, and procedures for claiming benefits.

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Sickness Benefits for Railroad Employees

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Checking Your Benefits by Telephone or Online

You can obtain detailed information about your unemployment benefit payments and claims at any time, by calling our national automated telephone service. Calling this number gives you access to:

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Important Reminders

Filing Requirements - To avoid losing unemployment benefits, your benefit application must be received by a Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) office within 30 days of the first day for which you want to claim benefits. Your unemployment claims must be filed within 15 days of the last day of the claim or 15 days from the date we mail the form to you, whichever is later.

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Medical Evidence

When you apply for any type of disability benefit, it is your responsibility to prove to the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) that you are permanently disabled (see Part V, Item 5, for the definition of permanently disabled). You must provide or tell us about any evidence which may show that you are disabled.

How to Furnish Medical Evidence

You may furnish medical evidence in three ways:

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Application Forms

To receive the disability benefits described in this booklet, you must file an application form. This section will explain the forms you must file to receive a disability benefit.

Disability Annuity

To receive monthly disability annuity payments, Form AA-17b, "Application for Determination of Widow(er)'s Disability", must be filed along with Form AA-17, "Application for Widow(er)'s Annuity". Form G-251, "Vocational Report", is also required if you have ever worked.