The ca-7 form is how an injured federal employee asks the U.S. Department of Labor to pay for wages lost because of a work injury or illness. It covers civilian federal workers under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). If you are hurt, out of work, and worried about your next paycheck, this is the form that starts wage loss payments. Typically, you file it after your regular pay or your Continuation of Pay ends. It is also used to request a schedule award for permanent impairment.
Who the Ca-7 Form Covers
FECA covers civilian employees of the U.S. government. That includes postal workers, VA nurses, TSA officers, park rangers, and office staff at federal agencies. It also covers some groups that Congress added by law, such as Peace Corps volunteers. However, FECA does not cover active-duty military members. They have separate VA and military programs.
The program is run by the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation at DOL’s OWCP. Your own agency does not decide your claim. It only completes its part of the forms and passes them along. As a result, a federal claims examiner makes the actual decision about your benefits.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Civilian federal employees (not active-duty military) |
| Agency | U.S. DOL, OWCP, Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation |
| Wage loss rate (no dependents) | 66⅔% of your pay |
| Wage loss rate (one or more dependents) | 75% of your pay |
| Continuation of Pay (traumatic injury) | Up to 45 calendar days of full regular pay |
| Waiting period | 3 unpaid days, unless disability lasts more than 14 days |
| Notice to get COP | Written notice (CA-1) within 30 days of the injury |
| Claim filing deadline | 3 years from the injury or from when you knew it was work-related |
| Agency’s deadline to forward CA-7 | Within 5 working days of receiving it |
| Key forms | CA-1, CA-2, CA-7, CA-7a, CA-7b, CA-5, CA-16, CA-17, CA-20 |
What the Ca-7 Form Pays
The main purpose of the ca-7 form is wage loss pay. Under 5 U.S.C. 8105, total disability generally pays 66⅔% of your monthly pay. If you have a dependent, the rate rises to 75%. Dependents can include a spouse, a child under 18, or certain others. For example, a worker earning $4,000 a month with one dependent may receive about $3,000 a month. This example is illustrative only, and every case is different. FECA benefits are also not subject to federal income tax.
The same form can request a schedule award. This is a payment for the permanent loss, or loss of use, of a body part. Examples include an arm, a leg, hearing, or vision. A doctor must rate your impairment first. In most cases, you request this only after you reach maximum medical improvement.
Medical care is handled separately. OWCP pays approved treatment directly, and the CA-16 can authorize early care. Death benefits are also separate. Survivors file Form CA-5, not the ca-7 form.
How to File and the Deadlines
First, your injury claim must be on file. Use Form CA-1 for a sudden traumatic injury. Use Form CA-2 for an illness or condition caused over time. Next, file the ca-7 form for periods when you lose pay. Most workers file online through the DOL ECOMP portal. You complete your section, and then your agency completes its section. Your agency should forward it to OWCP within five working days.
Other related forms help support the claim. Form CA-7a is a time analysis for intermittent days or hours missed. Form CA-7b is used to buy back leave you used while hurt. Your doctor may also need to submit Form CA-17 or CA-20 to show your work limits. Typically, for ongoing wage loss, you file a new ca-7 form every two weeks. That continues until OWCP places you on the periodic rolls. After that, payments usually come every 28 days.
If OWCP denies your claim, you still have options. You may request an oral hearing within 30 days of the decision. You may also ask for reconsideration within one year. Alternatively, you may appeal to the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board within 180 days. The full rules are in 20 CFR Part 10.
How It Differs From State Workers Comp
State workers comp is run by each state. It is usually paid through private insurers or state funds. FECA, however, is one federal program with one set of rules nationwide. The benefit rate is the same whether you work in Texas or Maine. In addition, there is no insurance company in the middle. OWCP pays benefits directly from a federal fund.
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There are other differences too. FECA offers up to 45 days of Continuation of Pay for traumatic injuries, which most states lack. You also generally cannot sue the federal government for the injury. FECA is your exclusive remedy. Finally, you cannot receive FECA wage loss and OPM retirement at the same time. You must choose one, so compare both carefully before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I file the ca-7 form?
File it as soon as you know you will lose pay because of your work injury. For traumatic injuries, that is often near the end of your 45 days of Continuation of Pay. Filing early helps prevent a gap in your income.
Do I need a new ca-7 form for every pay period?
In most cases, yes, until OWCP puts you on the periodic rolls. Many claimants file every two weeks during that time. Once you are on the periodic rolls, payments typically arrive every 28 days without a new form.
Can I use the ca-7 form for a schedule award?
Yes. The form has a box for requesting a schedule award for permanent impairment. You will also need a medical report rating your impairment, usually after you reach maximum medical improvement.
Ca-7 form: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about ca-7 form, 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 ca-7 form should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about ca-7 form 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.