ecomp.dol.gov is the U.S. Department of Labor’s free online portal for federal workers’ compensation claims. Federal civilian employees hurt on the job use ECOMP to file injury and illness claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). If you are a federal worker in pain and unsure where to start, this guide walks you through it. We explain the forms, the deadlines, and what the program may pay. We also explain what happens after you click “submit.”
Who the Ecomp Covers
ECOMP serves workers covered by FECA. That includes most civilian employees of the federal government. For example, postal workers, VA nurses, TSA officers, park rangers, and office staff at federal agencies are all covered. Some others are covered too, such as Peace Corps volunteers and certain federal jurors. However, active-duty military members are not covered by FECA.
The program is run by the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC). DFEC is part of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. Your own agency does not decide your claim. Instead, OWCP makes the decision. Your agency’s role is to receive your forms, add its own report, and pass everything along.
Here are the key facts in one place:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Federal civilian employees (and some special groups) under FECA, 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. |
| Agency | U.S. Department of Labor, OWCP, Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation |
| Online portal | ecomp.dol.gov (free to use) |
| Medical benefits | All reasonable and necessary care for the accepted condition, with no copay |
| Continuation of pay (COP) | Full regular pay for up to 45 calendar days after a traumatic injury |
| Wage-loss compensation | 66 2/3% of pay with no dependents; 75% with one or more dependents |
| Notice deadline for COP | Within 30 days of a traumatic injury |
| Claim filing deadline | Within 3 years of the injury, or of when you knew the illness was work-related |
| Agency deadline to forward claim | Within 10 working days after receiving it (if lost time or medical cost is expected) |
| Key form numbers | CA-1 (traumatic injury), CA-2 (occupational disease), CA-2a (recurrence), CA-7 (wage loss or schedule award), CA-5 (death claim), CA-16 (treatment authorization) |
What the Ecomp Pays
To be clear, the portal itself does not pay anything. ECOMP is the filing tool. FECA is the law that pays benefits once OWCP accepts your claim. Medical care comes first. OWCP typically pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, physical therapy, and related travel. In most cases, you can choose your own doctor for the first visit.
For wage loss after a sudden injury, many workers first receive continuation of pay. COP is your full regular salary for up to 45 calendar days, paid by your agency. After COP ends, you may be entitled to compensation through Form CA-7. FECA generally pays 66 2/3% of your pay if you have no dependents. It pays 75% if you have at least one dependent. These payments are tax-free. However, there is a 3-day waiting period unless your disability lasts more than 14 days.
If you permanently lose use of a body part, you may qualify for a schedule award. For example, the law sets 312 weeks of pay for total loss of an arm. Partial losses are paid as a percentage of those weeks. If a worker dies from a work injury, surviving family members may claim death benefits with Form CA-5. A spouse with no eligible children typically receives 50% of the worker’s pay. Every case is different, so treat these figures as illustrations only.
How to File and the Deadlines
Start by registering at ecomp.dol.gov with your email address. You do not need a lawyer to create an account. Next, choose the right form. Use Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury, meaning one event in one work shift. Use Form CA-2 for an occupational disease, meaning a condition caused over time, like carpal tunnel or hearing loss. Use Form CA-2a if an old accepted injury flares up after you returned to work.
When you submit through ECOMP, the form goes to your supervisor electronically. Your agency then completes its section and sends it to OWCP. You will get a confirmation in the portal. Save it. If you need treatment right away for a traumatic injury, ask your agency for Form CA-16. This form authorizes your first medical care. Later, you can use ECOMP to file Form CA-7 for lost wages and to upload medical records.
As a result of these rules, filing early is almost always safer. Even if you think the injury is minor, reporting it protects you if it gets worse. You can track your case status online through ECOMP and the Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal tools. You can also read the full rules in the federal regulations at 20 CFR Part 10.
How It Differs From State Workers Comp
State workers’ comp systems usually involve a private insurer and a state board. FECA works differently. The federal government is self-insured, and OWCP decides every claim. There is no insurance adjuster on the other side. In addition, FECA does not have lump-sum “settlements” the way many state systems do. Instead, benefits are paid over time as long as you qualify.
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Appeals also follow a federal path. If OWCP denies your claim, you typically have three options. You can request a hearing or a review of the written record within 30 days. You can ask for reconsideration within one year. Or you can appeal to the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board within 180 days. The Department of Labor’s FECA page explains each option in plain terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use ECOMP, or can I file on paper?
OWCP strongly encourages electronic filing, and many agencies now expect it. Using the ecomp portal is usually the fastest way to get your claim to OWCP. If you cannot access a computer, ask your agency’s injury compensation specialist about other options.
What if my supervisor does not act on my ecomp claim?
Your agency generally must forward a claim within 10 working days once lost time or medical costs are expected. If it stalls, contact your agency’s workers’ comp office. You can also call OWCP directly and keep copies of everything you submitted.
Can I upload medical records through ecomp?
Yes. Once you have a case number, you can upload doctor’s reports and other documents through the portal. Strong medical evidence that links your condition to your job is often the deciding factor in whether a claim is accepted.
Ecomp: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about ecomp, 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 ecomp should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about ecomp 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.