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 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 case was previously approved, but no benefits are currently payable. This may be used to identify a case with a third-party credit being absorbed.
If you have a third-party recovery, OWCP may need to be reimbursed before additional benefits can be paid.
This status is often used in conjunction with an MC case status.
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: 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been suspended, typically for failure to report for an Office-directed medical exam or because the initial claim was withdrawn.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 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 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: 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. 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
You have retired or are awaiting retirement.
If you have questions about the interaction between FECA benefits and retirement benefits, contact OWCP or OPM.
You cannot receive both FECA wage-loss benefits and OPM retirement benefits for the same period, but must elect between them.
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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