Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

2-0700-10 Compensation to Siblings, Grandparents, and Grandchildren
10. Compensation to Siblings, Grandparents, and Grandchildren. As with parents, the relationship on
the date of death and the degree of financial dependence determines entitlement to benefits for siblings,
grandparents, and grandchildren. The term "sibling" includes stepbrothers and stepsisters, half brothers
and half sisters, and brothers and sisters by adoption. The category of grandparents does not include
step-grandparents. The term grandchildren includes all biological and adopted grandchildren, whether
born into a marriage or not, but does not include step-grandchildren. Unlike posthumous children,
posthumous siblings are not entitled to benefits, even if the mother of the deceased employee was
dependent on the employee at the time of death and she was pregnant, the reasoning being that the
unborn child was dependent on its mother, not the employee, prior to its birth (see J. Quackenbush, 19
ECAB 251).
a. Documentation. The person claiming compensation, or someone acting on this person's
behalf, must complete Form CA_5b. Proof of relationship and proof of dependency at the time of
death are required. Evidence which establishes physical or mental incapacity is also required if a
sibling or grandchild is over age 18 and incapable of self_support.
(1) Proof of relationship is established in the same manner as for a child or parent.
(2) Proof of dependency is established in the same manner as for a parent, but the
percentage of entitlement for partly dependent beneficiaries differs:
(a) Section 8133(a)(5)(C) allows 10% to a partly dependent sibling, grandparent,
or grandchild rather than the "proportionate amount" allowed to parents by 5 U.S.C.
8133(a)(4).
(b) Therefore, the CE need not calculate the prorated degree of dependency
required by the Minnie Ballard decision (8 ECAB 716).
FECA-PT2 Printed: 06/08/2010 110