Unlike regular service retirements that can occur when certain age and service credit requirements are met, disability retirements must be granted by the KCERA Board of Retirement. The Board relies on KCERA staff and medical professionals to help it determine eligibility and review disability applications. When the application process is completed, the Board decides to grant or deny the application.

If you are considering filing a disability application, please call the KCERA office at (661) 381-7700. Member Services staff will counsel you on what to expect during the disability application process. For a complete and authoritative explanation of the rules governing the disability application process, please read KCERA’s Rules of Procedure for Disability Retirement. Additional information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the disability handbook.

The Disability Process

To begin the disability retirement process, you must first complete a required counseling session with a KCERA team member. Following this counseling, you will be provided with KCERA’s official Disability Application Packet.

KCERA provides all Disability Application Packets at no cost. These packets are only available directly through KCERA and are not distributed through third parties.

Please be aware that some third-party websites and law offices may claim to offer Disability Application Packets, sometimes for a fee. KCERA does not authorize or distribute application materials through any third party.

Applications that were not issued directly by KCERA will not be accepted. If you submit materials obtained from a third party, you will be required to complete the counseling process and resubmit your application using KCERA’s current official packet.

This requirement applies to all components of the application, including the Attending Physician Report. KCERA is not responsible for, and will not reimburse, any costs incurred for documents completed outside of the official KCERA process.

Applicants must complete and submit the forms contained in KCERA’s Disability Retirement Application Packet, except for the Attending Physician Report (APR), which must be completed by a qualified physician. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain the APR and applicable medical records from the physician before submitting the required forms to KCERA. The time is takes to complete the disability process outlined below will vary, depending on a variety of factors.

• KCERA will requisition the member’s personnel records and compile a disability packet.
• The Staff Disability Application Group (SDAG) will review the packet in detail and make a recommendation to grant or deny the application.
• If the SDAG recommends to deny the application, a contracted medical advisor will be automatically assigned to review the packet and provide a written report to the Board. Alternatively, a medical advisor could recommend that the member undergo an additional in-person examination by another medical specialist. The results would be reviewed and reported by the medical advisor.
• The disability packet will be placed on the Board’s next agenda for a final decision.
• For a map of the process, please review our Disability Flowchart

KCERA recognizes that its disability application process is lengthy and complex. However, staff communicates with applicants and their attorneys at every major stage in the process, either by phone or written correspondence.