The federal employees compensation act is the law that pays workers’ comp benefits to civilian federal workers who are hurt or get sick because of their jobs. It covers most civilian employees of the U.S. government, from postal carriers to park rangers to office staff. If you work for a federal agency and got hurt at work, this law covers you. Your state’s workers’ comp system does not. This guide explains what the program pays, the deadlines, and the forms you need, in plain English.
Who the Federal Employees Compensation Act Covers
The federal employees compensation act covers civilian employees of the U.S. government. That includes full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers. Postal Service employees are covered too. In most cases, Peace Corps volunteers, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, and some others named in the law are also covered. You can read the statute at 5 U.S.C. Chapter 81 (Cornell LII).
However, active-duty military members are not covered. They use the VA disability system instead. Federal contractors are usually not covered either. A contractor’s employees typically go through state workers’ comp, or through the Longshore Act’s Defense Base Act if they work overseas.
The program is run by the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) inside OWCP. The rules are in 20 CFR Part 10 (eCFR). Here are the key facts at a glance.
| Item | Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Civilian federal employees, including USPS, plus Peace Corps and VISTA volunteers |
| Who runs it | U.S. Department of Labor, OWCP, Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation |
| Wage-loss rate | 66 2/3% of pay (no dependents); 75% of pay (one or more dependents) |
| Maximum compensation | 75% of the GS-15, step 10 rate (death benefits are capped at the same level) |
| Continuation of pay (COP) | Up to 45 calendar days of full pay for a traumatic injury |
| Waiting period | 3 days, waived if the disability lasts more than 14 days |
| Notice deadline for COP | 30 days from the injury (Form CA-1) |
| Claim filing deadline | 3 years from the injury, or from when you knew it was work-related |
| Key forms | CA-1 (traumatic injury), CA-2 (occupational disease), CA-2a (recurrence), CA-7 (wage loss or schedule award), CA-16 (medical authorization), CA-17 (duty status), CA-5 and CA-5b (death) |
| Funeral benefit | Up to $800, plus $200 for ending the employee’s status |
| Facial disfigurement | Up to $3,500 |
What the Federal Employees Compensation Act Pays
Medical care. The federal employees compensation act pays for all reasonable and necessary medical care for your work injury. That includes doctor visits, hospital care, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions. You generally get to choose your own doctor at the start. In most cases, you pay no copays or deductibles for approved care.
Wage loss. For a traumatic injury, you may first get continuation of pay (COP). That means your agency keeps paying your full salary for up to 45 calendar days. After that, or for an occupational disease, OWCP pays compensation on Form CA-7. The rate is 66 2/3% of your pay with no dependents. It is 75% with one or more dependents. As a result, many federal workers get more than state workers would. FECA payments are also tax-free.
Schedule awards. If you permanently lose use of a body part, the law pays a set number of weeks of compensation. The exact weeks come from 5 U.S.C. 8107. Doctors rate the loss using the AMA Guides. For example, a 20% loss of use of an arm equals 20% of 312 weeks. Your payment is those weeks times your weekly comp rate.
| Body part (total loss or loss of use) | Weeks of compensation |
|---|---|
| Arm | 312 |
| Leg | 288 |
| Hand | 244 |
| Foot | 205 |
| Eye | 160 |
| Hearing, both ears | 200 |
| Hearing, one ear | 52 |
| Thumb | 75 |
| First finger | 46 |
| Great toe | 38 |
Death benefits. If a worker dies from a job injury, survivors may be entitled to monthly benefits. A spouse with no children typically gets 50% of the worker’s pay. A spouse with children gets 45%, plus 15% for each child, up to 75% total. These examples are illustrative. Every case is different, so confirm your exact figures with OWCP.
How to File and the Deadlines
Most claims are filed online through the Department of Labor’s ECOMP portal. Your agency then adds its part and sends the claim to OWCP. Use Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury. That means something that happened in a single work shift, like a fall. Use Form CA-2 for an occupational disease, which builds up over time. Carpal tunnel and hearing loss are common examples.
After the first claim, other forms come into play. Form CA-7 claims wage-loss pay or a schedule award. Form CA-16 lets your agency authorize your first medical treatment. Form CA-17 is the duty status report your doctor fills out. Form CA-2a reports a recurrence of an old injury. Survivors use Form CA-5 (spouse and children) or CA-5b (parents and other relatives). You can find all forms on the DOL OWCP FECA page.
Keep copies of everything you file. Also save your doctor’s reports. OWCP decides claims mostly on medical evidence. A clear doctor’s report that explains how your job caused the injury often matters most.
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How It Differs From State Workers Comp
The federal employees compensation act is a separate system from state workers’ comp. There is no private insurance company in the middle. Instead, the Department of Labor decides your claim directly. Your agency later pays the cost back to the program. As a result, the rules are the same in every state. A postal worker in Texas and one in Maine use the same forms and rates.
The benefits are also different. FECA wage-loss rates of 66 2/3% or 75% are often higher than state rates. Benefits are tax-free. However, you cannot sue the federal government for a work injury. FECA is your only remedy against your employer. You also cannot collect FECA wage loss and OPM retirement at the same time. You must choose one. In most cases, workers compare both before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose my own doctor under the federal employees compensation act?
Yes, in most cases you can choose your own doctor for your first treatment. Changing doctors later usually needs OWCP approval. Your doctor must be properly licensed and not excluded from the program.
What if I missed the 30-day deadline?
Missing the 30-day deadline typically means you lose continuation of pay. However, you can still file a claim for medical care and compensation within the 3-year limit. Confirm your options with OWCP and a licensed attorney.
Can I get both FECA and Social Security disability?
You may be able to get both. However, FECA benefits are usually reduced by the part of your Social Security that comes from federal service. Check with OWCP and the Social Security Administration about your own case.
Federal employees compensation act: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about federal employees compensation act, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about federal employees compensation act should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about federal employees compensation act that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.