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 and some period of entitlement to Continuation of Pay (COP) has been accepted.
If your disability extends beyond the 45-day COP period, submit Form CA-7 to claim wage loss compensation.
COP is only available for traumatic injuries, not occupational diseases, and must be used within 45 days of the injury.
Category: Acceptance
Your condition is accepted as compensable and some period of entitlement to compensation is or was accepted, but you are not being placed on the periodic roll.
Continue to submit Form CA-7 every two weeks to claim ongoing compensation.
Failure to submit timely CA-7 forms can result in interruption of payments.
Category: Acceptance
Your condition is accepted as compensable and you are or were entitled to compensation on the periodic roll.
You will receive regular payments without having to submit CA-7 forms. You must still submit periodic medical reports.
You must report any return to work or change in medical condition immediately. You will need to complete an annual CA-1032 form.
Category: Acceptance
Death has been accepted as work-related and some beneficiary is or was entitled to benefits.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive regular payments. Beneficiaries must complete an annual CA-12 form.
Changes in dependency status must be reported to OWCP promptly.
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 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 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 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: Processing
Your case has been created in the system but has not yet been reviewed by a Claims Examiner.
No action is needed at this time. Wait for OWCP to review your claim and request any additional information.
This status is automatically generated when a case is created and should change once the case is initially reviewed.
Category: Processing
Your claim is under development, meaning further information is needed before a decision can be made.
Respond promptly to any requests for information. You may also proactively submit relevant evidence to support your claim.
Failure to provide requested information within specified timeframes may result in denial of your claim.
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 daily roll, which permits payment through the compensation management system.
Continue to submit CA-7 forms every 2 weeks to claim ongoing compensation.
This is used for finite periods of wage loss or leave buy-back, not for schedule awards paid in lump sum or cases on the periodic roll.
Category: Payment
You are entitled to payment on the periodic roll. Used with AP adjudication code.
You will receive regular payments without submitting CA-7 forms. You must complete an annual CA-1032 form.
You must report any return to work or change in medical condition immediately.
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: Closure
Your case is closed and accepted, but no further payments are anticipated because there was no time lost from work.
If your condition worsens and you need additional medical treatment, you can still submit bills for payment.
If you later experience disability due to this condition, contact OWCP to have your case reopened.
Category: Closure
Your case is closed and accepted. Time lost was covered by leave that has not been repurchased.
If you wish to buy back leave, contact your agency's HR department about leave buy-back procedures.
There is typically a one-year time limit for requesting leave buy-back.
Category: Closure
Your case is closed because benefits were denied. This is assigned with a "D_" adjudication code.
If you disagree with the denial, review your appeal rights as outlined in the decision letter.
Different appeal options have different deadlines: reconsideration (1 year), hearing (180 days), ECAB appeal (180 days).
Category: Closure
Your case is closed. Continuation of Pay (COP) was accepted and pay was continued for time lost from work, but no further payments are anticipated.
If your condition worsens and you need additional medical treatment or experience new disability, contact OWCP.
Medical benefits may still be available for your accepted condition if needed in the future.
Category: Closure
Your case has been administratively closed.
No action is needed unless you believe this status is incorrect or you need to reopen your case.
This may be used when a claim is withdrawn or when there has been no activity for an extended period.
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.
Get expert tips and resources on FECA claims delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to Federal Claims Chronicle