Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

(1) If the claimant's refusal of the offered job is not deemed justified, the CE must so
advise the claimant and allow 15 additional days for him or her to accept the job (see
Maggie L. Moore, Docket No. 90-1291, issued March 8, 1991). The notice should state that
no further reason for refusal will be considered, but it need not include the reason for
finding the claimant's refusal unjustified.
If the claimant does not accept the job, the CE should prepare a formal decision which
provides full findings of facts as to why claimant's reasons for refusing the job are deemed
unacceptable and terminate compensation under Section 8106(c)(2) of the Act as of the
end of the roll period. Such a decision should not be modified even if the claimant's medical
condition later deteriorates and he or she claims a recurrence of total disability.
(2) If the refusal is deemed justified, the CE should so notify both the claimant and the
employing agency. The claimant will be continued on temporary total disability (TTD) while
the CE contacts the agency concerning further attempts at placement. If the agency is
unable to make any further job offers, the CE should refer the case to the Rehabilitation
Specialist (RS) for consideration of further vocational rehabilitation services.
2-0814-6 Relocation Expenses
6. Relocation Expenses. Section 10.123(f) of the Office's regulations provides that an injured
employee who relocates to accept a suitable job offer after termination from the agency rolls may receive
payment or reimbursement of moving expenses from the compensation fund. This provision further
states that Federal travel regulations addressing permanent change of duty station (PCS) moves will be
used to determine whether expenses claimed are reasonable and necessary.
a. Criteria for Payment. Relocation expenses are payable only to claimants who are no longer
on the agency rolls. They are payable whether the claimant still resides in the locale where he or
she last worked and is offered employment in another area, or whether the claimant has moved
away from the locale where he or she was employed and is offered employment in either the
original area or a different one. Expenses may be paid for relocation to a temporary job as long as
it is expected to lead to a permanent assignment, but may not be paid for relocation to a
temporary job which is not expected to lead to a permanent assignment. The distance between
the two locations must be at least 50 miles, but the claimant is not required to demonstrate
financial need for relocation expenses to be paid.
b. Responsibilities.
(1) District Office staff will adjudicate all requests for relocation. (The employing
agency, however, has an advisory role with respect to the amounts payable; see
subparagraph (3) below.) Where relocation is approved, the district office will pay or
reimburse authorized expenses to the claimant or the employing agency.
(2) National Office staff will handle all requests for advance payment from the
compensation fund in cases where the employing agency cannot provide the money for the
move from its own accounts, and the claimant has not already expended the funds.
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