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: 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been suspended, typically for failure to report for an Office-directed medical exam or because the initial claim was withdrawn.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 payment of a lump sum schedule award. This is assigned only with code AP.
You will receive a lump sum payment as specified in your award letter.
This code should not be changed until the schedule award entitlement period has ended.
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 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 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.
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.
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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