Office of Workers Compensation

The Office of Workers Compensation Programs (“OWCP”) is the division of the U.S. Department of Labor that handles all aspects of four major disability compensation programs, including the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, which covers federal civilian employees, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program, and the Black Lung Benefits Program, which all cover specific groups of employees. 

All of these programs provide financial compensation to replace lost wages of employees who have suffered a work-related illness or injury, as well as medical and surgical treatment, therapy, and other benefits.  Plus, in cases where an employee’s illness or injury is fatal, these programs provide survivors’ benefits for the dependent family members of the deceased employee.  

OWCP Compensation

Typically, an employee who has become disabled due to a work-related illness or injury cannot receive both OWCP benefits and disability retirement benefits from the federal government at the same time.  Therefore, the employee will have to opt for the compensation that is most advantageous to him or her.  The only exceptions to this general rule occur when an employee receives a scheduled OWCP award, such as compensation for the loss of use of a leg or other body part, when an employee receives OWCP benefits due to the death of another person, and is eligible for disability retirement benefits based on his or her own years of service, or if an employee’s OWCP benefits are suspended due to monies received as a result of a third party settlement, such as from a personal injury settlement award from a responsible party. 

OWCP Schedule Award

Furthermore, it is important to remember that eligibility for OWCP compensation does not automatically entitle an employee to federal disability retirement benefits.  A separate claim for those benefits must be filed in addition to filing an OWCP claim, and generally must be filed within one year of your date of separation from the federal agency with which you were employed.

Help Filing a Disability Claim

If you are having difficulty with an OWCP or federal retirement disability claim, you would be well-advised to consult an experienced disability attorney for assistance, and, in particular, an attorney who is familiar with the federal employee retirement system.