Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

(b) Form CA-1617 should be released twice a year to determine continuing
entitlement to compensation based on student status. The CE will need to determine
if the student is regularly pursuing a full-time course of study; if the student has
completed four years of education beyond the high school level; the end of the
semester or enrollment period in which the student turns 23; and any interim
periods between school years. Form CA-1617 also includes a question concerning
the election of VA or other educational benefits.
(2) Incapable of Self-Support. A person entitled to benefits because of incapacity for
self-support, or his or her guardian, should be asked to submit medical evidence to support
continued payments of compensation. Such requests should be made at least yearly.
e. Parents and Grandparents. Under 5 U.S.C. 8133(b)(3), survivors' benefits cease when "a
parent, or grandparent dies, marries, or ceases to be dependent."
(1) A parent or grandparent should be removed from the rolls when the current income
less compensation equals or exceeds the total income from all sources adjusted to
compensate for changes in the cost of living at the time of death. This action is taken
because the beneficiary would no longer be dependent upon compensation to sustain a
living standard equivalent to that enjoyed at the time of the employee's death.
(2) OWCP has the burden of proving that the parent or grandparent is no longer
dependent. Approval authority in such cases rests with the SCE and cannot be delegated to
the CE.
2-0700-18 Suspension of Benefits
18. Suspension of Benefits. Compensation for beneficiaries in death claims may be suspended for
failure to provide timely reports concerning their status.
a. Determining if Benefits Should be Suspended. If reports requested on Form CA-12 and/or
Form CA-1617 are not made in a timely manner, the CE should first determine if extenuating
circumstances apply (for example, the beneficiary is hospitalized or has just moved and had no
time to notify OWCP).
(1) If no extenuating circumstances exist, the following actions should be taken:
(a) If Form CA-12 has not been returned, all benefits should be suspended even
if a current Form CA-1617 is in file for a college-age child unless the child is receiving
benefits in his or her own name.
(b) If Form CA-1617 has not been returned, compensation for only the student
will be suspended, assuming a current Form CA-12 appears in file.
(2) If extenuating circumstances exist or the form is received but not substantially
completed, the CE should advise the beneficiary of the specific information still required and
indicate that benefits will be suspended within 30 days if the information is not received
within that time.
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