Understanding OWCP and Federal Workers’ Compensation: Benefits, Claims, and Eligibility

If you’re a federal employee with a workplace injury, navigating the compensation process and claiming the benefits you deserve is your responsibility. As you get started, it’s helpful to have a broad overview of how the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) system operates. This way, you’ll know what support you may expect during your recovery.

What is the OWCP?

The OWCP operates under the US Department of Labor and is tasked with implementing the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). FECA offers benefits for civilian employees of the US government who sustain traumatic injuries or contract occupational diseases while performing their duties.

The OWCP’s responsibilities include:

  • Processing claims
  • Ensuring injured workers receive their entitled medical care
  • Disbursing compensation benefits for wage loss due to work-related injuries or diseases
  • Overseeing vocational rehabilitation programs

Receiving Federal Workers’ Compensation Benefits

To secure benefits under FECA, you must first complete the necessary documentation. This includes submitting Form CA-1 for traumatic injuries and Form CA-2 for occupational diseases developed over time.

Next, you must visit a physician—who can be your regular doctor—to get a medical opinion that details the injury and explicitly connects it to the workplace. This opinion forms the basis of the OWCP’s decision, so make sure it’s thorough and submit it promptly.

Benefits You May be Entitled To

Assuming the OWCP grants a favorable decision in your case, you may be eligible to receive medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation.

Medical Benefits

Medical benefits under FECA cover the treatment costs for injuries sustained while performing your job. Compensation includes reimbursement for the following:

  • Medical treatment costs: This coverage reimburses you for visits to healthcare providers, hospital stays, surgeries, and other medical procedures necessary due to your work-related injury. There are no predefined limits, but treatments and providers must be pre-authorized by the OWCP and related to the work injury.
  • Medication: Prescription drugs required for treatment are reimbursable. Just be aware that pre-approval might be needed for certain medications or quantities.
  • Medical devices and supplies: This includes items like crutches, wheelchairs, or specialized equipment necessary for recovery or to assist with daily activities impacted by the injury. The need for these devices must be medically certified.
  • Travel expenses for medical treatment: Reimbursement is available for travel to and from medical appointments, including mileage, parking, and tolls. The OWCP often applies a standard mileage rate, and you may need prior approval for long-distance travel or overnight stays.

Be aware that time limits may apply to certain medical benefits, and some benefits might involve submitting additional documentation and claims. Also, don’t expect coverage for cosmetic procedures, experimental treatments, or services not directly related to the work injury.

Wage Replacement Benefits

Wage replacement benefits compensate for lost wages due to injury-related work absence. These benefits are categorized into continuation of pay (COP) and wage loss compensation (WLC).

COP offers immediate, short-term wage replacement for the first 45 days of work absence due to a traumatic injury. After COP, if the employee is still unable to return to work, they may receive WLC, which compensates for prolonged wage loss. Note that COP is available only in traumatic injury cases. It is not available in occupational disease cases.

If you have dependents (which includes a spouse), you may receive 75 percent of your average weekly pay. If you don’t have dependents, you are eligible for 66 percent.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The OWCP offers a vocational rehabilitation program for federal employees who are unable to return to their previous employment due to partial disability. Vocational rehabilitation counselors provide services aimed at helping partially disabled employees return to work. These services include counseling and guidance, vocational testing, training programs, and job placement assistance. Vocational rehabilitation is used infrequently, and typically in long term cases.

Employee cooperation is an essential aspect of vocational rehabilitation. The early stages of the program, including interviews, counseling, testing, and work evaluations, lay the groundwork for successful rehabilitation and the eventual return to work. If you refuse to participate in these early stages, the OWCP may terminate your wage compensation.

You may also face a reduction in benefits if you fail to cooperate in the later stages of the program, once suitable work has been identified and you have been deemed capable of performing this work post-rehabilitation. In this case, compensation may be adjusted to reflect the wages you would likely have earned in this identified position. The rules concerning vocational rehabilitation can be complicated, so good guidance is useful

Receive Expert Legal Representation

There’s nothing simple about federal workers’ compensation. That’s why it’s often beneficial to work with an attorney. Aumiller Lomax guides federal employees through this complex process to ensure compensation goes to those who need it. Our nationwide service area means you can work with our experienced federal workers’ compensation lawyers, no matter where you’re located. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and discuss how we can represent your interests effectively. Contact us at 856-751-0440 to protect your rights and ensure you get every dollar you deserve.