U.S. Office of Personnel Management Customer Service Issues

I contacted the OPM Retirement Center in Boyers, PA today, 06/15/18, regarding a copy of the [redacted]-R form for the OPM Survivor Death Benefit Check. A staff member mentioned they spoke to a retirement benefits specialist who couldn't find the requested record. Despite the Survivor Death Benefit Check being issued a year after my father's passing, I was informed it could take up to 14 days to send me the documents via mail, as they cannot be faxed. I am unsure of the correct procedure and whether I should contact a different office, given that my father was a District of Columbia employee whose documents were previously sent from Boyers, PA. Additionally, the closure of his former workplace, DC General Hospital, may complicate locating the records.

I am a DOD employee with 25 years of service and have undergone five surgeries since [redacted], with the latest being on June 12. DLA Document Services is initiating a process to remove me from my position due to not meeting the job requirements following my recent surgery. I am considering applying for a disability job within the government and seeking advice on my options. Unfortunately, my HR department has been unable to assist me. The surgery on my L2-S1 has limited my ability to lift more than 20 pounds currently. I am scheduled to return to work in mid-September after using my annual and sick leave in advance. I am hoping for alternative solutions to disability retirement.

CSA [redacted]0 Richard B. Lorenz I regret to inform you that my wife passed away on 03/29/[redacted]. I have submitted the required documents, including a copy of the Death Certificate, to OPM. Despite numerous attempts to contact OPM since mid-June, I have faced inconsistent responses and significant delays in reaching a resolution. I was informed that the certification was sent to FEGLI; however, after approximately four months, FEGLI has stated this morning that they have no record of the certification, my name, or SSN. I was instructed to contact OPM to request a faxed copy, with a promise of the check being sent within 7-10 days. OPM, on the other hand, stated that it could take 30-60 days due to their workload. I am frustrated with the current process and have requested urgent attention to this matter. I am also seeking clarification on whether interest accrues due to these unnecessary delays and if there is any compensation for such delays. While I understand the workload at OPM, I am hopeful that someone can expedite the resolution of this issue. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

I have a CSA number which is [redacted] 4 [redacted] 3. In August [redacted], I received a letter informing me that my application for a portion of my former spouse's Federal retirement benefit was approved. Despite trying to contact the provided number [redacted], I have not been able to receive any information regarding my benefits. My name is Julie Carter, and I am the ex-spouse of Thomas Carter. My address is [redacted] South 268th Street, Kent, Washington, [redacted]. You can reach me at [redacted] or via email at JulesAnn56@[redacted]. I have made several attempts, including calls, letters, and faxes, to no avail. My ex-husband mentioned that money is being deducted from his retirement, but when he inquired, he was informed that this is a personal matter and could not obtain any details.

I previously attempted to apply for Disabled Veterans Leave (DVL) but HR informed me that I did not meet the eligibility criteria as I needed to be employed on or after November 5, [redacted]. I joined the Veterans Administrations in November [redacted] and switched to the USMC civilian workforce in November [redacted]. I'm currently rated at 90% VA service-connected and have lost significant leave hours due to leave without pay (LWOP) situations. Over the years, my VA rating has increased from 60% to 70% to 80% and now 90%. I've faced challenges with taking leave for critical situations like family funerals and medical procedures. I require clarification on my eligibility for DVL based on my circumstances. Despite researching the OPM website, I find it confusing and seek a clear response on whether I qualify for DVL. Additionally, I'm exploring options for Reasonable Accommodation, and DVL was mentioned. Can I rectify any misinformation provided by HR retroactively if I was wrongly advised and missed the application window? I appreciate your prompt assistance and clear guidance.

I previously attempted to request Disabled Veterans Leave but was informed by HR that I did not qualify as I needed to be hired on or after November 5, [redacted], despite being hired in November [redacted]. I am currently 90% VA rated service-connected and have experienced a significant loss of leave due to various factors, resulting in a substantial amount of LWOP this fiscal year. Over the years, my VA rating has increased from 60% to 70% to 80% and now stands at 90% since I began working for the government in [redacted]. Given my frequent hospital visits and high service-connected rating, I am uncertain if I am eligible for Disabled Veterans Leave and seek clarity on this matter. I recently faced a denial for Reasonable Accommodation but was advised to explore other options, including DVL. I would appreciate a clear explanation without further confusing details, as navigating the OPM website has been challenging. Additionally, I am curious about potential recourse if I was mistakenly misinformed by HR and thus missed the opportunity to apply for DVL. Thank you for your prompt assistance and clarification.

As a federal employee, I encountered issues accessing my USAJOBS account after recent changes. I mistakenly created a new account, assuming my old one was deleted, losing my historical data. A colleague informed me I might now have two accounts and suggested seeking help to merge them. I've tried reaching out to USAJOBS and contacted OPM's non-functional phone number without success. This situation is hindering my job search. I need to merge my accounts to recover my old information promptly and stop missing out on job opportunities.

I worked as a Recruiting Assistant for the US Census Bureau out of my home for around 7 months. Unfortunately, I was let go on July 30th without being paid for my last working day, including the 8 hours of work and mileage. I also have a discrepancy in my pay for overtime hours on July 22. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this with the Atlanta RCC and Gainesville ACO, I have not received my back pay. I can provide evidence of working from home on the day of termination and attending a recruiting event with CareerSource. I am seeking assistance to resolve this issue promptly.

Hello, my name is Gary N. Armstead, a retired servicemember of 34 years. I recently applied for a position at Tobyhanna Army Depot in PA. The job closed on the 17th, and my application status on USA Jobs shows "received." However, the dayshift supervisor mentioned interviews are happening today, even though I am well-qualified for the job with years of experience. I am a disabled, protected veteran eligible for a non-compete appointment. The Division Chief (Hiram) has been promising me a night shift supervisor role in Sheetmetal for over 4 months. Despite being deemed qualified by the Chief, the Director (Frank Z) appears hesitant due to my contractor background, even though I have extensive experience, college credits, and I am pursuing a degree in Computer Science. I have not heard back and suspect possible discrimination. Any assistance is appreciated.

I received a court-ordered benefit approved in January [redacted]. Despite multiple attempts, I have not received any payments. I have submitted my banking information four times via fax and provided it over the phone in November. I discovered that payments have been on hold since June. I need assurance that my account is set up correctly to receive payments. I have been unable to reach the Court Ordered Benefits Division directly as they do not answer calls or return messages. I am frustrated by the delay in processing my banking information, causing payment delays. I seek confirmation that the issue will be resolved promptly and that payments will be processed accordingly. CSA 8-[redacted]-[redacted]-3 R. Boeggeman Spouse: J. C. Boeggeman Jr.

My mother passed away on July 19th. Unfortunately, my family, including my step sister and brother, made the decision to handle all of my mother's paperwork and belongings without waiting for me to arrive. They went ahead with cremating her against my wishes and our Catholic faith. Consequently, they did not provide me with the necessary information such as her social security number or CSA number to file my claim. Despite my efforts to submit all required documents like my birth certificate, ID, affidavit, and the SE6 form, MetLife is requesting a SF2821 certification of insurance form. I have emailed the form along with a copy of the letter and my ID but have not received any updates from them.

I recently received a letter from Shawnee Delong regarding a background check issue. Unfortunately, I have been unable to reach Shawnee via email to address the matter. The address provided for mailing my dispute does not seem to be correct, and the zip code is incomplete. Furthermore, the location mentioned, Branchton Road, is not showing up accurately. I have already requested an investigation via email as Shawnee suggested, due to the negative and inaccurate information in my reference report. I have asked Shawnee to share all investigation details, as well as the source of the reference information, with me. Despite this, Shawnee insists that no further action is needed since I am no longer in a GSA account. However, I believe I am entitled to all background information concerning me. I am seeking help as the customer service I have received thus far has been disappointing.

Dear Sir, I am a retired disabled veteran with 40 years of federal service. I served in the USAF for 20 years and the Federal Aviation Administration for another 20 years before retiring in July [redacted]. For the past fifteen months, I have been dealing with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to process my retirement, but unfortunately, they have shown incompetence at every step. I have hired attorney Mr. Ken Reeve to handle my case, and we have submitted twice to the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB). Despite assurances from OPM representative Ms. Sherri McCall on June 3, [redacted], that errors in my retirement file would be corrected within five days, they have not been fixed, and more errors have appeared. We have refiled with the MSPB and are awaiting a court date. This delay has caused significant financial hardship as I am only receiving a fraction of my annuity. I have had to dip into my 401k to support my family. As a disabled veteran, this situation is distressing to me. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Nelson L. Wheeler

I am a representative from Buckeye State Credit Union. In October [redacted], a check for $[redacted].96 was mistakenly sent to the Office of Personnel Management for a reclamation for Joy L. McAdow. The check was cashed in error. I have a copy of the canceled check and we need assistance in resolving this issue as we have paid this amount twice now. Please contact me at [redacted] Ext [redacted]. Thank you, Darlene M. Lyell from Buckeye State Credit Union.

My name is Laurie Johnson, and I am a survivor eligible for OPM benefits after my husband's passing in June [redacted]. I have had numerous conversations with representatives from the OPM office. During my last contact, I was informed that my case has been transferred to a more experienced person, which was five months after my husband's death. I have submitted all the necessary paperwork to the OPM office, yet for the past two weeks, I have been unable to reach anyone due to consistently busy phone lines. I kindly request advocacy in helping me secure my survivor benefits or guidance on the next steps to obtain information regarding my claim. I am in a difficult situation trying to prevent losing my home. The name of my late spouse is James L. Tober, and the claim number is CSF [redacted]. Thank you for your assistance. Respectfully, Laurie J. Johnson LCDCIII MonDay Community Correctional Institution Clinician II/Screening Specialist Email: [redacted] Phone: [redacted]

I work as a Customer Service Representative at Fort Stewart, Georgia. We have an employee who works as a security guard here. His current work schedule is on a 6 - Compressed Schedule with specific days and 3.25 hours of night differential each day. Additionally, he accumulates 45 minutes of overtime daily due to the requirements of his job. The employee also has national guard training and is on military leave for two of his scheduled work days. According to OPM regulations, he is entitled to premium pay, except for Sunday premium pay. I am uncertain if this premium pay includes overtime pay. How can I ensure he receives his overtime and night differential pay in his premium pay? We use ATAAPs for time recording, and this is the first time an employee has requested premium pay, so I would appreciate some guidance on this matter. Thank you, Gale.

My name is Deborah Connelly, and I sustained an injury at the Pekin, IL USPS on 01-31-[redacted]. On March 2, [redacted], OWCP terminated my compensation under case #[redacted]01 after their doctor completed an OWCP-5c form stating that I could return to work. I have since moved to Des Plaines, IL [redacted] and am unsure if USPS plans to reinstate me. Despite seeking clarification from various sources, including the Pekin, IL USPS and my local OPM office, I have not received a clear answer or been provided with an address for the OPM office in my area. As far as I know, OPM is based in Washington, DC. The letter I received on April 5, [redacted], on official US Department letterhead with DFELWC-FECA, references the USPS Central Illinois Performance Cluster Injury Compensation Office at [redacted] W 73rd St, Bedford Park, IL. I sent correspondence to this address on March 11, [redacted], and am still awaiting guidance on whom and where to contact to address my return to work status.

I, M.H., recently received my Annuity Paid statement for this year, which I promptly passed on to my tax accountant. Upon reviewing the statement, I noticed two errors. Firstly, due to COVID-related service delays, my first withdrawal shouldn't have been required until the [redacted] tax year. Secondly, I did not receive any payment information nor did I see any funds deposited into my accounts. I am urgently seeking clarification on if a payment was issued, its destination, and when it was made. I also inquire as to why I wasn't notified of this transaction. Timely information on this matter is crucial, so I greatly appreciate prompt assistance. Please reach out to me at [redacted] or via email at [redacted]

I am inquiring about my brother's monthly check, which he has been receiving for approximately 18 years while living with me. This month, the check did not arrive as expected. The check, number CSF 2 [redacted] A, is made out to George O Smith Jr. but is usually deposited in my checking account under the name Sheila M Rust for George O Smith Jr. It typically arrives by the 3rd of the month. For further investigation, you can contact me via phone at [redacted] or by email at [redacted] Kindly address this issue promptly as there was a recent security breach that affected our accounts, resulting in their closure and the opening of new ones. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sheila M Rust

I'd like to share my experience with GetHuman regarding the phone number [redacted]. When you call this number, you're led into a lengthy outgoing message with no option to speak to someone directly. The automated system doesn't provide a way to reach a representative by pressing zero, and when trying to input zeros, it keeps repeating that it cannot find the option. It can be frustrating as none of the options presented are relevant to the purpose of your call.