Simplifying Federal Workers' Compensation
Understand what your claim status means and what to do next. Codes are below. Enter your claim code. Multiple choices may appear due to crossover in actions. Look for your specific code.
Category: Acceptance
Your condition is accepted as compensable, but you are entitled to medical benefits only.
You can submit medical bills related to your accepted condition for payment. No wage loss compensation is authorized.
If you experience wage loss in the future due to this condition, you will need to submit Form CA-7 with supporting medical evidence.
Category: Acceptance
Your condition is accepted and some period of disability is supported by medical evidence. You have elected to use or have used leave while awaiting a decision.
If you wish to "buy back" the leave you used, submit Form CA-7 with supporting medical documentation.
There is typically a one-year time limit for requesting leave buy-back.
Category: Acceptance
Your condition is accepted as work-related but you are entitled only to medical benefits.
You can submit medical bills related to your accepted condition for payment.
This status is similar to AM but may be used in specific circumstances.
Category: Denial
Your claim is pending disallowance (denial).
You will receive a formal decision letter explaining the reason for the disallowance and your appeal rights.
No payments can be processed while in this status.
Category: Denial
Your claim has been denied because it was not filed within the required time limits.
You may request reconsideration with evidence showing the claim was timely filed or that there was a reasonable excuse for the delay.
Generally, claims must be filed within 3 years of the date of injury, or within 3 years of when you first became aware of the condition's relationship to your employment.
Category: Denial
Your claim has been denied because you were not a federal civilian employee at the time of injury.
If you believe this is an error, request reconsideration with evidence of your federal employment status at the time of injury.
Certain contractors, volunteers, and other non-federal employees are not covered under FECA.
Category: Denial
Your claim has been denied because the evidence does not establish that the injury or event occurred as described.
Submit additional evidence such as witness statements, incident reports, or other documentation that proves the injury or event happened as claimed.
This denial is often due to inconsistencies in the evidence or lack of sufficient proof that the incident occurred.
Category: Denial
Your claim has been denied because the injury did not occur while you were performing your official duties.
Submit evidence showing that the injury occurred while performing your job duties, during work hours, or in an activity that benefited your employer.
Activities outside the scope of employment, during commuting, or during unauthorized breaks are typically not covered.
Category: Denial
Your claim has been denied because the medical evidence does not establish that the condition is related to your federal employment, or disability due to the injury has ceased.
Obtain a comprehensive medical report from your physician that clearly explains how your work duties caused or aggravated your condition.
The medical report should include a definitive statement of causal relationship, not speculative language.
Category: Appeal
Your case has been remanded (sent back) by the Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) for further action.
Wait for OWCP to take the action directed by ECAB. This may include further development of the evidence or a new decision.
The remand instructions in the ECAB decision should be followed by OWCP.
Category: Appeal
Your case has been remanded (sent back) by the Branch of Hearings and Review (H&R) for further action.
Wait for OWCP to take the action directed in the remand order.
The remand instructions should be followed by OWCP. You may need to submit additional evidence as requested.
Category: Appeal
Your request for reconsideration of a previous denial is pending review.
Wait for OWCP to issue a new decision based on your reconsideration request and any new evidence submitted.
Reconsideration requests should be decided within 90 days, though this timeframe is not always met.
Category: Processing
Consideration for benefits has been suspended, typically for failure to report for an Office-directed medical exam or because the initial claim was withdrawn.
If due to missing a medical exam, contact OWCP immediately to reschedule the examination.
Continued failure to attend directed medical exams can result in denial of benefits.
Category: Payment
You are entitled to medical treatment only at this time. This is used in combination with an "A_" adjudication code.
You can submit medical bills related to your accepted condition.
This status does not authorize wage loss compensation payments.
Category: Payment
You are entitled to payment on the periodic roll and have been formally determined to have no wage-earning capacity or re-employment potential for the indefinite future.
You will receive regular payments without submitting CA-7 forms. You must complete an annual CA-1032 form.
Even with this status, you should report any improvement in your condition or change in circumstances.
Category: Payment
You are entitled to payment on the periodic roll at a reduced rate, reflecting a partial wage-earning capacity or actual earnings.
You will receive regular payments at the reduced rate. Report any changes in earnings immediately.
Failure to report changes in earnings can result in an overpayment that you would have to repay.
Category: Payment
Monthly payments are being made to at least one beneficiary of a deceased Federal employee. Used with AF adjudication code.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive regular payments and must complete an annual CA-12 form.
This code is also required to pay burial, transportation, and administrative costs related to a death claim.
Category: Overpayment
An overpayment exists and a final decision has been made on issues of fault and waiver. You are not on the periodic roll.
Repay the overpayment as directed in the overpayment decision, or request a repayment plan if needed.
Failure to repay may result in collection actions, including referral to the Department of Treasury.
Category: Overpayment
An overpayment exists and a final decision has been made on issues of fault and waiver. You are on the periodic roll.
The overpayment may be collected through deductions from your continuing compensation payments.
You can request a lesser withholding amount if the standard deduction creates a financial hardship.
Category: Closure
Your case is closed. It was previously accepted for benefits, and all benefits have been paid.
If your condition worsens and you need additional medical treatment or experience new disability, contact OWCP.
You may request reopening of your case if you have a recurrence of the accepted condition.
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) uses a combination of codes to indicate the status of a claim:
Your claim status can be found on ECOMP by logging into your account and viewing your case details, or on correspondence you receive from OWCP.
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