1500  S.  SUNKIST  ST.   ANAHEIM   CA 92806  (714) 937-1228  FAX (714) 937-0371

Injury On Duty

Who Decides Your Claim

What to do if Your
Claim is Denied


What to do if You Have an Occupational
Illness or Injury

What to do if You Have
a Traumatic Injury

What to do if You Have
a Recurrence

What OWCP Benefits
are Available

Returning to Work

OWCP Terminology

How do You File
Your Claim

Guidelines for Proving Your Claim with
Medical Evidence

FECA Benefits as Explained by OWCP


Appeal Rights

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WHAT OWCP BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE


As a general rule, three years is the outside limit for initially filling a claim for OWCP benefits. However, it is to your advantage to file a claim as soon as possible after you have knowledge of medical condition that was caused by work.

OWCP, not the USPS, makes the decision as to whether you have a compensable injury and what benefits you are entitled to under FECA. If your claim is approved by OWCP they will notify you in writing of their acceptance of a specific medical condition. When your medical condition is accepted OWCP should then tell you how to claim the benefits to which you are entitled.

• MEDICAL CARE is provided, and you may initially selected a local physician of your choice (within 25 miles). The term “physician” includes surgeons, osteopathic practitioners, podiatrists, dentists, clinical psychologists, optometrists and chiropractors within the scope of their practice as defined by state law. Payment for chiropractic services is limited to treatment considering of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation as demonstrated by X-ray to exist.

• CONTINUATION OF PAY (COP) is payable for traumatic injuries for up to 45 calendars of medically supported disability. It is paid by the USPS and is the same as your regular check.

• WAGE LOSS COMPENSATION (not COP) is paid by OWCP, Department of Labor after a 3 day waiting period. However, the waiting period doesn’t apply if the disability is permanent, or if the period of the wage loss exceeds 14 days. The check comes from OWCP, not the USPS.

TOTAL DISABILITY wages loss is paid when you have no capacity to earn wages because you are unable to perform any work due to your accepted workplace injury. It is paid at a rate of two-third (2/3) of your earnings at the time of injury or three fourth (3/4) if there are one or more dependents. It is tax free.

PARTIAL DISABILITY wage loss is paid at a reduced rate because you are able to perform some work and only have a partial loss of wage earning capacity.

• SCHEDULE AWARDS are paid if after maximum medical improvement there is a permanent impairment of the injured part or function of the body such as loss of use of an eye, arm, or removal of lung. A schedule award can also be paid for serious disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. The law does not permit payment of schedule awards for back, neck, or brain injuries unless such an injury physically impairs another element of the body. Claim for a schedule award may be filed using Form CA-7. You cannot receive a schedule award and total wages loss compensation at the same time.

• COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES (COLA) are provided on a yearly basis to injured workers who have been receiving wages loss compensation for the preceding year.

• DEATH Benefits may be paid to the survivors if the death was a direct result of the work environment or previous work injury. Form CA-5 or 5b is the appropriate form to file.

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