Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

(3) The CE will be required to set the formal LWEC in place (including formal findings of
no loss in wage-earning capacity) once the claimant has been working for 60 days. If the
claimant is entitled to compensation on the basis of an LWEC after returning to
employment, the CE should set up payment on the daily roll using the Shadrick formula
until the claimant has worked in the job for 60 days.
g. Reimbursement. For Federal agencies which process payments through the U.S. Treasury,
the GOALS/OPAC system will be used for reimbursement. Checks will be issued through the Bill
Payment System (BPS) to the new employers of the private sector, state and local governments,
and Federal agencies that do not process payments through the U.S. Treasury. See PM Chapter
5-202.30 for more information concerning reimbursement.
2-0813-10 Effects of Substance Abuse
10. Effects of Substance Abuse. Inappropriate use of drugs, whether legal or illegal, may complicate
recovery from other medical conditions and hinder return to work. Substance abuse may come to light
from medical reports, contacts with the RN, RS or RC, or through direct communication with the claimant.
Actions to be taken when such use is identified are as follows, regardless of whether the Office has
accepted it as work-related.
a. Treatment. Where substance abuse or addiction prevents a claimant from entering a
vocational rehabilitation program, continuing with such a program once it has begun, or returning
to work, the RC or RS may recommend participation in a drug treatment plan. The CE (not the RS
or RC) is responsible for authorizing such care where necessary based on the medical evidence of
record (that is, the recommendation of the attending physician).
(1) Ordinarily, inpatient care will be limited to a one-time 28-day stay at a reputable
facility, though in unusual circumstances additional inpatient care may be authorized (see
FECA PM 3-400.5). The facility selected should be within 25 miles of the claimant's
residence wherever feasible, and where inpatient care is recommended, costs of at least
two facilities should be compared before care is authorized.
(2) Outpatient treatment may be recommended by itself or as a follow-up measure to
inpatient care. Such treatment may be authorized when recommended by the attending
physician, as may medications prescribed to alleviate the effects of addiction (e.g.,
Antabuse). Likewise, counseling in a group setting may be undertaken at OWCP expense.
b. Effect on Vocational Rehabilitation. The CE, or the SN on request of the CE, should
advise the claimant of the terms of the referral before treatment begins. In particular, the
claimant should be notified that non-completion of the program, or continued abuse of the
substance after the treatment ends will result in suspension of compensation benefits under
5 U.S.C. 8113 at the salary level of the job which is the goal of the training. The
suspension of benefits will continue until the claimant reenters a program and/or
discontinues use of the substance. (See Exhibit 1 for a sample letter).
If the effort is not successful, the claimant's LWEC should be determined in accordance with
paragraphs 11 and 12 of this chapter, according to the claimant's status in the vocational
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