Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

(3) Medical Evidence. A medical report covering the child's past and present condition
must be submitted and referred to the DMA to determine whether it establishes incapacity
for self-support. A physician's opinion must be based on sufficient findings and rationale to
establish unemployability.
d. Method of Payment. In death cases, payment of compensation is made to a child as follows:
(1) Under Age 18. Compensation will be paid to a parent, guardian, or other competent
individual responsible for the child's welfare. If a child under age 18 without a parent,
guardian or other individual responsible for supervision is found to be competent to receive
payments, compensation can be paid directly to the child. Sources of information
concerning competency include local juvenile authorities, school officials, police, and
relatives. The CE should obtain information from such sources as well as any other
pertinent evidence, then make a determination of competency. If necessary, the CE should
ask juvenile authorities in the area of the child's residence to appoint a conservator.
(2) Students. Compensation will be paid directly to a child who is a student if he or she
is of legal age in the state of residence. If not, and the parent or guardian requests
payment of the compensation, the CE must determine whether direct payment of
compensation would be in the child's best interest, based on factors in the specific case.
(3) Physically or Mentally Incompetent. On request, compensation will be paid directly
to a child of legal age who is incapable of self-support due to physical disability.
Compensation on behalf of mentally incompetent individuals must be paid to a parent,
guardian, or other person responsible for the individual's welfare.
2-0700-9 Compensation to Parents
9. Compensation to Parents. Parents, stepparents, and parents by adoption may be entitled to
survivors' benefits, but foster parents and in-laws are excluded. Proof of parentage is established by a
copy of the birth certificate for the employee, or, in the case of adoption, copies of the legal documents.
In the case of a stepparent, the file must contain proof of the stepparent's marriage to the natural or
adoptive parent of the deceased, along with the birth certificate indicated above.
a Whole or Partial Dependency. Section 8133(a)(4) provides benefits to parent(s) who were
wholly or partly dependent on the employee at the time of death. Note that this differs from the
provision of Section 8110(a)(4), which provides augmented compensation to a disabled employee
on the basis of a parent wholly dependent on and supported by the employee. Form CA-1074 may
be used to develop information bearing on this issue.
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