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.
18 results for "PR"
What it means
Your condition is accepted as work-related under FECA, but only medical benefits are authorized. No wage-loss compensation has been approved.
What to do next
Submit medical bills related to your accepted condition directly to OWCP for payment. If you experience wage loss in the future due to this condition, file Form CA-7 with supporting medical evidence at that time.
Important notes
This status does not authorize any compensation payments. Do not assume wage-loss compensation will be paid automatically — you must file CA-7 when wage loss occurs.
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 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 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
Your request for reconsideration of a previous OWCP denial is currently under review. OWCP is evaluating your new evidence and arguments.
What to do next
Wait for OWCP to issue a new decision. If you have not already submitted all supporting evidence, do so promptly — evidence submitted after the reconsideration decision generally cannot be considered until the next stage.
Important notes
OWCP should issue a reconsideration decision within 90 days, though this is not always met. If more than 6 months pass without a decision, contact your claims examiner. You cannot file an ECAB appeal while a reconsideration is pending.
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 medical treatment only. This pay status code is used in combination with an acceptance adjudication code (e.g., AM-MC or AP-MC).
What to do next
Submit medical bills for your accepted condition to OWCP for payment. Use Form OWCP-1500 (medical providers) or submit via the OWCP Medical Bill Processing system.
Important notes
This status does not authorize wage-loss compensation payments. If you experience wage loss, you must file CA-7 separately.
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 on the periodic roll and OWCP has formally determined that you have no wage-earning capacity and no realistic prospect of re-employment for the indefinite future.
What to do next
You will receive regular payments automatically. Complete the annual CA-1032 and maintain current medical documentation on file with OWCP.
Important notes
Even with a no-wage-earning-capacity determination, you must still report any improvement in your condition or any employment — including part-time, volunteer, or self-employment.
What it means
You are on the periodic roll receiving compensation at a reduced rate, reflecting a formal determination of partial wage-earning capacity or actual current earnings from light-duty employment.
What to do next
Report any changes in your actual earnings immediately to OWCP. Your compensation will be adjusted based on the difference between your earning capacity and your pre-injury pay.
Important notes
Failure to report earnings changes — including increases or decreases — can create an overpayment or underpayment. Either can cause significant problems with your claim.
What it means
OWCP has determined that you were overpaid FECA compensation and a final decision has been made on the issues of fault and waiver. You are not currently on the periodic roll.
What to do next
Repay the overpayment as directed in the overpayment decision letter, or contact OWCP to request a repayment plan if the full amount creates a financial hardship. Use the Overpayment Repayment Estimator to project your repayment timeline.
Important notes
Failure to repay or make arrangements can result in referral to the Department of Treasury for collection, including offset of tax refunds and other federal payments.
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. 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.
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.