Human Resources Division
Retirement & Benefits
RESERVISTS CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY
Action Instruction Sheet
Action Requested: LWOP or Separation
Division/Location Action:
- Obtain a copy of military orders from employee
- Have employee complete an SF-52 SF-52 Requests for LWOP or Separation
(Provide in remarks section of SF-52, mailing address for court garnishment
cases.)
- Have reservist complete USDA Form, "Election of Benefits Coverage
for Employees Called to Active Military Duty" and submit with LWOP
action. This form covers FEHB, Lump-Sum Annual Leave and Thrift Savings
Plan (TSP) Loan payment decisions.
- Verify the employee's STAR and NFC Leave balances and have timekeeper
complete a leave audit if balances do not agree.
HRD Action:
- Ensure that LWOP or Separation is documented on an SF-52 and a copy
of the Military orders and the "Election of Benefits Coverage for
Employees Called to Active Military Duty form are attached.
- Process Leave as requested on Election of Benefits Form.
- Review employee's NFC record for FEHB and FEGLI enrollments/entitlements.
Processing:
- LWOP: Nature of Action Code 473/LWOP-US and Legal Authorities Q3K/5
CFR 353 and ZJW/Operation Enduring Freedom. (Note: ZJW authority
has been established to enable OPM and agencies to identify reservists
who are involved in the effort under Operation Enduring Freedom.)
- Separations. Nature of Action Code 353/Separation-US, and
legal authorities Q3K/5 CFR 353 and ZJW/Operation Enduring Freedom.
Health Benefits (FEHB)
USDA employees called to more than 30 days of active duty in support
of a contingency operation, will have their premiums paid in full by their
agency for up to 18 months. Enter remarks code B66 for those reservists
with FEHB coverage while absent for reasons related to military duty.
B66: "Health benefits coverage will continue for 18 months unless
you elect to terminate coverage."
SF-52, B66: "Health benefits coverage will continue for 18 months
unless you elect to terminate coverage." USDA employees called
to more than 30 days of active duty in support of a contingency operation,
will have their premiums paid in full by their agency. Coverage will need
to be manually terminated after 18 months (548 calendar days in LWOP-US
status). The 18 month period begins the day the employee is placed on
LWOP-US. This applies even if part of the LWOP-US is covered by paid leave.
This could happen because employees eligible for LWOP-US do not have to
return to duty to be paid leave. NFC is not currently set up to terminate
automatically, but is in the process of making the requisite programming
changes. Until notified, it is the agencies responsibility to monitor
and terminate coverage. Employees returning from military leave may work
as little as one day, be recalled to active duty in the military, and
begin a new 18 month period during which the FEHB costs will be paid by
the agency.
Life Insurance (FEGLI)
For those reservists with FEGLI coverage, coverage will continue for 12
months in nonpay status without charge to the employee. Enter Remarks code
B72 for employees to continue enrollment in FEGLI enrollment. B72: "Federal
Employees' Group Life Insurance coverage continues until a reservist's time
in nonpay status totals 12 months".
WGI
The system will automatically process a WGI as long as the counters are
set to zero. Check TINQ and zero those counters prior to WGI due date in
order for the WGI to process automatically.
Return To Duty. When the reservist returns to civilian employment,
the Return to Duty personnel action must be documented with Nature
of Action Code 292/RTD, and legal authorities Q3K/5 CFR 353 and ZJW/Operation
Enduring Freedom.
Garnishments. Check with File Room via e-mail to determine if
employee has a garnishment on file. If so, File Room will notify the courts
that employee has been called for military service.
CONTACTS. For further information on employment rights and benefits
of civilian Federal employees who perform active military duty, contact
the Retirement and Benefits Staff (301) 504-1526.
Updated: 04/09/2003
A R S - A F M : Administrative and Financial Services
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