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.
19 results for "RT"
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 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 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
The employee's death has been accepted as work-related under FECA and at least one beneficiary is entitled to death benefits.
What to do next
Eligible beneficiaries will receive regular monthly payments. Each beneficiary must complete an annual CA-12 form to certify continuing eligibility.
Important notes
Changes in dependency status (remarriage, children reaching adulthood, etc.) must be reported to OWCP promptly. Failure to report can result in overpayments.
What it means
Your condition is accepted as work-related under FECA, but only medical benefits are currently authorized. Similar to AM but used in specific case circumstances.
What to do next
You can submit medical bills related to your accepted condition for payment. If wage loss occurs, file CA-7 with medical support.
Important notes
This status does not authorize wage-loss compensation payments.
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 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 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
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
The Branch of Hearings and Review has remanded your case back to OWCP with instructions to take further action.
What to do next
Wait for OWCP to complete the directed action. You may need to submit additional evidence as specified in the remand order.
Important notes
Review the remand order carefully. You may have a limited window to submit additional evidence after the remand before OWCP issues a new decision.
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
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 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 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
You are authorized for payment of a FECA schedule award for permanent impairment to a scheduled body part under 5 U.S.C. § 8107.
What to do next
You will receive schedule award payments according to the calculated weeks and days in your award letter, at your applicable FECA compensation rate.
Important notes
Schedule awards are payable even if you return to full-duty work. However, they cannot be paid concurrently with wage-loss compensation for the same injury — you must elect between the two during any overlap period.
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 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
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.