Can I work when I’m on a disability pension?

Members of the pension system are allowed to work if they are on a disability pension. However, they should be aware of any work restrictions that the pension doctors issued when the pension was granted. If they are working in a capacity that exceeds the work restrictions of the pension doctors, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners has the authority to review the pension and adjust it accordingly if it is determined that the disability status has changed.

Can my disability pension be reviewed even though a scheduled or periodic review was not assigned?

Yes. Some disability pensions are granted with a scheduled review. These are typically cases where the disability is determined to have a potential to change in the near future and the Board reviews the granted disability to make any adjustments to the pension that may be warranted. However, the City Charter and Administrative Code grants the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners the authority to review all disability pensions.

What is recaptured by Workers’ Compensation if I get a disability/surviving spouse pension?

If a Disability Pension is granted, service connected or non-service-connected, regardless of the disability involved, the following will be recaptured by Workers’ Compensation:

• All permanent disability cash awards, including attorney’s fees
• Temporary Disability paid at State Rate
• Advances from permanent disability
• Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance

Surviving Spouses are not required to pay back Workers’ Compensation awards of a member’s prior injuries. Surviving Spouses pay back the State Death Benefit when a surviving spouse pension is granted, service connected or non-service connected. Arrangements for the recapture of funds are made with the Accounting Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions and the City’s third-party Workers’ Compensation administrator.

Questions?

If you have any questions, you may contact the Disability Pensions Section at (213) 279-3165 or (844) 88-LAFPP.