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 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
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 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: 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 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
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: 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 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.
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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