Federal workers compensation is the program that pays medical bills and lost wages to civilian federal employees hurt on the job. It is created by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). It covers more than 2.6 million federal and postal workers across the country and overseas. If you work for a federal agency or the U.S. Postal Service and got hurt or sick because of your job, this is your system. It is not your state’s workers’ comp program.
Who the Federal Workers Compensation Covers
FECA covers civilian employees of the federal government. That includes full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers. It also includes U.S. Postal Service employees. In most cases, you are covered from your first day on the job. You do not have to prove your employer was at fault.
A few other groups are covered too. For example, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, federal jurors, and Job Corps enrollees may qualify. Some non-federal police officers hurt while enforcing federal law may also qualify. However, active-duty military members are not covered. They use VA and military benefits instead. Federal contractors are also not covered. Their employer’s state workers’ comp policy usually applies.
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). Your agency does not decide your claim. OWCP claims examiners do.
| Key fact | Federal workers compensation (FECA) |
|---|---|
| Who is covered | Civilian federal employees, USPS workers, and some volunteers and jurors |
| Who runs it | U.S. Department of Labor, OWCP |
| Law | 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.; rules at 20 CFR Part 10 |
| Wage-loss rate | 66 2/3% of pay (no dependents); 75% of pay (one or more dependents) |
| Maximum wage-loss rate | 75% of GS-15, step 10 basic pay |
| Continuation of pay | Up to 45 calendar days of regular pay (sudden injuries only) |
| Notice deadline for continuation of pay | 30 days from the injury |
| Claim filing deadline | 3 years from injury (or from when you knew the condition was work-related) |
| Sudden injury form | CA-1 |
| Illness or disease form | CA-2 |
| Wage-loss or schedule award form | CA-7 |
| Death benefit forms | CA-5 (spouse and children); CA-5b (parents and other relatives) |
What the Federal Workers Compensation Pays
First, FECA pays your medical care for the work injury. That includes doctor visits, hospital care, surgery, medicine, and therapy. You can usually choose your own doctor at the start. In most cases, there is no copay or deductible.
Second, it pays wage loss if you cannot work. For a sudden injury, your agency first keeps paying your regular salary for up to 45 days. This is called continuation of pay. After that, OWCP pays 66 2/3% of your pay if you have no dependents. It pays 75% if you have one or more dependents. As a result, many workers get more than in most states. These payments are not taxed. A 3-day waiting period applies unless you are out more than 14 days.
Third, FECA pays a schedule award for permanent loss or loss of use of certain body parts. The law sets the maximum number of weeks for each part. For example, total loss of an arm is worth 312 weeks of compensation. Partial loss is paid as a percentage of those weeks.
| Body part (total loss) | Maximum 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 |
If a worker dies from a work injury, FECA pays survivor benefits. A spouse with no children typically receives 50% of the worker’s pay. A spouse with children receives 45%, plus 15% per child, up to 75% total. Funeral costs of up to $800 are also paid. Any dollar figure you see is illustrative. Every case is different, so confirm your rate with OWCP.
How to File and the Deadlines
Tell your supervisor right away. Then file the right form. Use Form CA-1 for a traumatic injury, which happens in one shift or one workday. Use Form CA-2 for an occupational disease, which builds up over time, like carpal tunnel or hearing loss. Most claims are now filed online through the DOL ECOMP portal. Your agency adds its part and sends it to OWCP.
Other forms come later. Your agency can give you Form CA-16 to authorize your first medical visit. Your doctor reports on Forms CA-20 and CA-17. If you lose pay after continuation of pay ends, file Form CA-7. You also use the CA-7 to ask for a schedule award. Survivors file Form CA-5 or CA-5b. You can find all of them on the OWCP forms page.
Don’t wait if you can avoid it. Filing early typically makes proving your claim easier. It also starts your medical care sooner.
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How It Differs From State Workers Comp
Federal workers compensation is a single national system. The same rules apply whether you work in Alaska or Florida. In contrast, each state runs its own program with its own caps and rules. FECA wage-loss rates are often higher, and the payments are tax-free. Also, there is no insurance company in the middle. The Department of Labor decides your claim directly.
Settlements also work differently. In many states, workers can settle a claim for a lump sum. However, federal workers compensation generally does not allow a lump-sum settlement of your claim. Instead, benefits are paid over time as long as you qualify. FECA is also your exclusive remedy. That means you typically cannot sue the federal government for the injury. You may, however, have a claim against an outside party, such as a driver who hit you.
So state workers comp does not apply to these workers; here is who does. Your claim is handled by OWCP at the U.S. Department of Labor. Your agency’s injury compensation specialist can help with forms. OWCP’s district offices handle questions about your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick my own doctor under federal workers compensation?
Yes, in most cases you may choose your first treating doctor. That doctor must be licensed and not excluded from the program. If you want to change doctors later, you typically need OWCP approval first.
Do postal workers get federal workers compensation?
Yes. U.S. Postal Service employees are covered by FECA, not state workers’ comp. They file the same CA-1 and CA-2 forms, and OWCP decides their claims.
What if my federal workers compensation claim is denied?
A denial is not the end. You may request an oral hearing or a review of the written record within 30 days. You can also ask for reconsideration within 1 year or appeal to the ECAB within 180 days. A licensed attorney can help you choose the best path.
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
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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.