Stephen Victor Barszcz

After 18 years combined federal service between active-duty military and federal civil service, my health military service-connected health conditions quickly began deteriorating, making it quite difficult for me to remain productive and reliable in my current job. But at only 46 years of age, I kne...w early FERS retirement wasn’t an option for me yet with my current employer. After contacting attorney Barszcz; however, I quickly learned that I had hope … that disability FERS retirement would be an option for me based on my conditions and my time in service. Attorney Barszcz was very attentive, professional, and patient with me during my initial consultation and has been in in every subsequent phone conversation from there on forward. Attorney Barszcz was quickly able to assess my circumstances at the beginning seeing a potential positive outcome to my situation and was able to thoroughly advise me on how to proceed with the application. And boy, was he right! After moving forward with my application, having him represent me throughout my entire OPM FERS disability retirement process, I was able to get an approval with the initial submission just 6 months later! Attorney Barszcz was always able to give me an answer to all of my questions and always responded in a timely manner. Thank you, attorney Barszcz. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without your help!

Hi Mr. Barszcz: I am extremely grateful to you regarding your honest response, professional integrity and high ethical standards unlike many other attorneys who asked for fees ranging up to $5000. One of them took $2000 from me and billed me for approximately $1500 within three days and then wrote ... to me in his email that he has been frustrated with OPM as usual dealing with their bureaucracy while trying to contact OPM to inquire about the status of my case, and strongly recommended me to contact my congressional representative asking them to intercede with OPM to expedite processing my case, as they are frequently very helpful in getting OPM’s attention. I am already under such financial and mental distress that I can’t describe. I have contacted local congressman and senator and also two accountants are helping me to put together a response. The accountants found big flaws in two letters that I received from OPM. I probably never sent you the second letter dated 10/25/13, where now OPM claimed that pay for my position in 2011 was $162,343 and not $120,343, and the 80% income limitation was $129,874 and not $96,274 as previously stated in their first letter dated 7/3/13. But they are now telling me that the income that I made was not $96,949 but $163,809, so I am still over and have terminated my disability as of last year June 2012. The Social Security on the other hand has already issued me a letter dated 10/23/13 with my new earned income as $89,187, and my accountants can’t figure out how OPM got to the figure $163,809. So I am now going through the Congressman/Senator. I hope this is resolved soon. I am sorry to have taken your time again, but I couldn’t resist to appreciate your honesty and high moral standards. My father was an attorney back in my home country, Pakistan and he held such high standards as you did and you just reminded me of him. I truly became tearful thinking of him when I was reading your email. He had passed away in 1979. I salute you for who you are ….. I wish I could post this on either your website or some blog place so people can see what an incredible human being you are !!! Thank you very much for your advice.