OWCP Claims Status Decoder
Staring at a confusing OWCP status code? Enter your code below for a plain-language explanation of what it means, what action to take, and what deadlines or warnings apply to your FECA claim.
25 results for "CL"
What it means
Your FECA claim is accepted and a period of disability is supported by medical evidence. You elected to use leave (annual or sick) while awaiting the OWCP decision rather than taking Leave Without Pay (LWOP).
What to do next
If you want to buy back the leave you used, submit Form CA-7 with supporting medical documentation to request leave buy-back. OWCP will pay you compensation and you reimburse your agency for the leave.
Important notes
There is a one-year time limit for requesting leave buy-back from the date of the accepted disability period. Act promptly.
What it means
Your traumatic injury claim is accepted and a period of Continuation of Pay (COP) has been authorized. Your agency continued your full pay during the disability period instead of you going on LWOP.
What to do next
If your disability extends beyond the 45-day COP period, submit Form CA-7 to claim FECA wage-loss compensation at the applicable rate (66⅔% or 75%).
Important notes
COP is only available for traumatic injuries (CA-1), not occupational diseases (CA-2). COP must be used within 45 calendar days of the date of injury. After 45 days, you must claim compensation via CA-7.
What it means
Your condition is accepted and compensation for wage loss has been or is being paid, but you are not placed on the periodic roll (i.e., you are not receiving ongoing automatic payments).
What to do next
Continue submitting Form CA-7 every two weeks to claim ongoing FECA wage-loss compensation. Each CA-7 covers one biweekly pay period.
Important notes
Failure to submit timely CA-7 forms will interrupt your payments. Do not wait — submit each CA-7 promptly at the end of each two-week period.
What it means
Your condition is accepted and you are or were on the OWCP periodic roll, receiving automatic ongoing compensation payments without submitting CA-7 forms each period.
What to do next
You will receive regular compensation payments automatically. You must still submit periodic medical reports to support continuing entitlement and complete the annual CA-1032 (Claimant Activity Report).
Important notes
You must immediately report any return to work, change in earnings, or improvement in your medical condition to OWCP. Failure to report can create an overpayment that you must repay.
What it means
Your case was previously approved but no benefits are currently payable. Often used when a third-party recovery credit is being absorbed — meaning OWCP paid benefits first and you later received a third-party settlement.
What to do next
If a third-party settlement was involved, OWCP may be recouping its prior payments from your settlement before resuming compensation. Contact your claims examiner to clarify your status.
Important notes
This status is typically used alongside an MC pay status code. Understand your third-party obligations before settling any lawsuit related to your work injury.
What it means
Your claim is in the process of being denied. OWCP has not issued a final decision yet but is preparing to disallow (deny) your claim.
What to do next
You will receive a formal written decision letter explaining the specific reason(s) for denial and your appeal rights. Read it carefully — deadlines begin from the decision date.
Important notes
No payments can be made while your claim is in this status. Begin gathering additional evidence now so you are ready to respond quickly once the denial is issued.
What it means
Your FECA claim was denied because it was not filed within the required time limits under 5 U.S.C. § 8122.
What to do next
Request reconsideration with evidence showing the claim was timely filed, or that there was a reasonable excuse for the delay such as unawareness of the work relationship. Submit supporting documentation with your request.
Important notes
Traumatic injury claims (CA-1) must generally be filed within 3 years of the injury date. Occupational disease claims (CA-2) must be filed within 3 years of the date you first became aware that the condition was work-related.
What it means
Your claim was denied because OWCP determined you were not a federal civilian employee covered under FECA at the time of injury.
What to do next
If you believe this is an error, request reconsideration with documentation proving your federal employment status at the time of the injury — such as your SF-50, pay stubs, or agency identification.
Important notes
FECA covers most federal civilian employees, but certain contractors, volunteers, and temporary workers may not qualify. Verify your employment status in the OWCP system.
What it means
Your claim was denied because the evidence does not establish that the injury or event actually occurred as described in your claim.
What to do next
Submit additional evidence to prove the injury occurred: witness statements, supervisor reports, agency incident reports, security footage, time and attendance records, or co-worker declarations.
Important notes
This denial often results from inconsistencies between your claim description and the evidence on file, or a lack of corroborating evidence. Address each inconsistency specifically in your reconsideration request.
What it means
Your claim was denied because OWCP determined the injury did not occur while you were performing your official federal duties.
What to do next
Submit evidence showing that the injury occurred during the performance of your job: your position description, work orders, supervisor statements, or documentation showing the activity was work-related or directed by your agency.
Important notes
Injuries during commuting, unauthorized breaks, purely personal activities, or activities outside the scope of your position are generally not covered. However, injuries at agency-sponsored events, while on travel, or during activities that benefit the agency may be covered.
What it means
Your claim was denied because the medical evidence does not establish that your diagnosed condition is related to your federal employment, or that disability due to the work injury has ceased.
What to do next
Obtain a comprehensive medical report from your treating physician that clearly and definitively explains how your work duties caused, aggravated, or contributed to your condition. Use the Medical Evidence Checklist to guide your doctor.
Important notes
The medical report must use definitive causal language — "is caused by," not "may be related to" or "could be consistent with." Speculative language is routinely rejected by OWCP. This is the most common denial reason.
What it means
The Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) has remanded your case back to OWCP with specific instructions to take further action — such as gathering additional evidence or issuing a new decision.
What to do next
Wait for OWCP to complete the action directed by ECAB. Review the ECAB remand decision carefully — it will specify what OWCP must do and may indicate what evidence would support your claim.
Important notes
OWCP is required to follow the ECAB remand instructions. If OWCP does not act within a reasonable time, contact your claims examiner to inquire about the status.
What it means
Consideration for benefits has been suspended. This typically occurs because you failed to appear for an OWCP-directed medical examination, or because the initial claim was withdrawn.
What to do next
If suspended for missing a directed medical exam, contact OWCP immediately to reschedule. Provide a written explanation and any documentation showing why you were unable to attend.
Important notes
Continued failure to attend OWCP-directed medical examinations can result in permanent denial of benefits. Do not ignore this status — act quickly.
What it means
Your FECA claim has been created in the OWCP system but has not yet been assigned to or reviewed by a claims examiner.
What to do next
No action is needed immediately. Wait for OWCP to assign your claim and send you correspondence. Ensure your contact information is current in ECOMP.
Important notes
This is an automatic initial status. If your claim remains in UN status for more than 4–6 weeks without any correspondence, contact your OWCP district office to confirm receipt.
What it means
Your OWCP claim is actively under development — meaning the claims examiner is reviewing the file and may be requesting additional information before making a decision.
What to do next
Respond promptly and completely to all OWCP requests for information. You may also proactively submit relevant evidence — medical reports, witness statements, position descriptions — to strengthen your claim.
Important notes
OWCP will typically set a deadline (often 30 days) for you to respond to development requests. Failure to respond within the specified timeframe can result in denial based on the evidence currently on file.
What it means
You are authorized for wage-loss compensation payments on the daily roll — meaning compensation is paid for a finite, defined period through the OWCP compensation management system.
What to do next
Continue submitting Form CA-7 every two weeks to claim ongoing compensation. Each CA-7 covers one biweekly pay period.
Important notes
This status is used for defined periods of wage loss or leave buy-back — not for cases on the periodic roll or schedule awards. Failure to submit CA-7 timely will pause your payments.
What it means
You are receiving automatic ongoing compensation payments on the OWCP periodic roll. Used with the AP adjudication code for long-term total disability cases.
What to do next
You will receive regular payments without submitting CA-7 forms. You must complete the annual CA-1032 (Claimant Activity Report) and submit periodic medical reports to support continuing entitlement.
Important notes
You must immediately report any return to work, earnings, or improvement in your condition. Unreported earnings will create an overpayment.
What it means
You are authorized for payment of a schedule award as a single lump sum payment. Used only with the AP adjudication code.
What to do next
You will receive a lump sum payment as specified in your award letter. Review the calculation carefully and contact your claims examiner if you believe the amount is incorrect.
Important notes
This code should not be changed until the entire schedule award entitlement period has ended. A lump sum schedule award may affect other benefit calculations.
What it means
Your FECA case is closed. The condition was accepted as work-related but you did not lose any time from work and no compensation was paid.
What to do next
No action needed unless your condition worsens. You can still submit related medical bills for payment. If you later experience disability due to this accepted condition, contact OWCP to reopen your case.
Important notes
Keep documentation of your accepted condition. If you later file a recurrence, having the original case number and acceptance on record is important.
What it means
Your case is closed and accepted. Time lost was covered by leave (annual or sick) that has not been bought back from your agency.
What to do next
If you wish to repurchase the leave you used, contact your agency's HR department. The leave buy-back process requires submitting Form CA-7 to OWCP, who will pay you the compensation amount, which you then use to reimburse the agency.
Important notes
There is a one-year time limit from the date of the accepted disability period to request leave buy-back. If that window has passed, you may no longer be eligible.
What it means
Your FECA case is closed because your claim for benefits was denied. Assigned alongside a denial adjudication code (D1–D5).
What to do next
Review the denial letter carefully for the specific reason(s) and your appeal options. Use the Appeal Assistant to determine which appeal path is best for your situation.
Important notes
Appeal deadlines are strict: reconsideration within 1 year; hearing request within 30 days; ECAB appeal within 180 days — all from the date of the denial decision. Missing these deadlines can permanently close off your options.
What it means
Your case is closed. Continuation of Pay (COP) was accepted and your agency continued your full pay during your disability period. No further FECA compensation payments are anticipated.
What to do next
If your condition worsens or you experience a recurrence of the accepted injury, contact OWCP to reopen your case and file CA-7 for any new wage loss.
Important notes
Medical benefits for your accepted condition may still be available even after closure. Keep your OWCP case number for future reference.
What it means
Your FECA case is closed. It was previously accepted and all authorized benefits — wage-loss compensation, schedule awards, medical — have been paid.
What to do next
If you experience a recurrence of your accepted condition or need additional medical treatment, contact OWCP to reopen your case. Provide updated medical evidence documenting the recurrence.
Important notes
Closure does not mean your rights under FECA have ended. A genuine recurrence of an accepted condition can reopen your case.
What it means
Your case has been administratively closed, typically due to claim withdrawal, prolonged inactivity, or administrative reasons unrelated to the merits of the claim.
What to do next
Contact your OWCP district office if you believe this closure is incorrect or if you need to reactivate your claim.
Important notes
Administrative closure does not necessarily mean your claim was denied. However, you should act promptly if you believe the closure was in error.
What it means
You have retired from federal service or are awaiting retirement, which affects the interaction between FECA compensation and OPM retirement benefits.
What to do next
Contact both OWCP and OPM to understand your options. You must make a formal election between FECA wage-loss compensation and OPM retirement annuity — you cannot receive both simultaneously for the same period.
Important notes
This is one of the most important elections a federal employee can make. FECA compensation is generally tax-free and may be higher than an OPM annuity. Consult with a FECA specialist or union representative before making your election.
Understanding OWCP Status Code Structure
OWCP claim status is displayed as a combination of two two-character codes — an adjudication code and a pay status code. For example: AP-PR means "Accepted, Periodic Roll."
- Adjudication codes (A_, D_) — indicate whether the case is accepted or denied
- Pay status codes (MC, PR, DR, PS, etc.) — indicate the type of payment authorized
- Closure codes (C1–C5, CL, RT) — indicate the case is closed
Your full claim status can be found by logging into ECOMP and viewing your case details, or on written correspondence from OWCP.