Just a quick note...if you do feel up to working again at some point, you can earn up to 80% of your former income, under both CSRS and FERS.

I'm not sure how far you may have gotten through the SSDI process, but it may be worth looking at again if you're still unable to work. Your Federal disability retirement status can only help. But do remember that the govt will offset your benefit for the SSDI payment, so your income may not change much, but as you said, things like food stamps will be higher.

Sorry if I hijacked the thread....just wanted to reply to that post.

Overcast, it is my understanding that as long as your earnings stay under the Substantial Gainful Activity threshold, you'll be fine. Do check out the link from Perna though. There are specific rules for the Ticket to Work program. A word about Medicare though - I actually went back to work full time under the Ticket to Work program and was able to keep my Medicare. I worked full time for seven years before getting sick again and having to go back onto disability. There are very lengthy grace periods and it was fairly easy for my benefits to be reinstated, even after working for so long. I would have lost the Medicare after eight years after my benefits stopped (from working full time).