Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

d. Continuation of Pay. An employee who sustains a disabling job-related traumatic injury is
entitled to continuation of regular pay (COP) for a period not to exceed 45 calendar days. To
qualify for COP, the injured employee must file written notice of injury and claim for COP within 30
days of the injury. COP is not considered compensation and is subject to taxes and other payroll
deductions. The employee must make separate claim for monetary compensation if the disability
exceeds 45 days or results in any permanent disability. See FECA PM 2-807.
e. Compensation. Generally, for total disability an employee with no dependents is entitled to
compensation equivalent to two-thirds of the weekly salary, while an employee with one or more
dependents is entitled to three-fourths of the salary. Certain additional amounts, such as premium
pay, night and Sunday differential, dirty work pay, and hazardous duty pay, may be included in
salary. Overtime pay, however, cannot be included. A special formula is applied in cases where
the employee is a part-time worker, an unpaid volunteer, a temporary employee, or a person
working in a similar category. See FECA PM 2-900. Compensation payments are subject to
garnishment for past due alimony and child support payments if the district office receives the
proper documentation from a state agency or a court order that supports such action.
f. Vocational Rehabilitation. If the injured worker suffers a vocational handicap due to the
injury and cannot resume usual employment, vocational rehabilitation services may be arranged to
assist in training for work that the claimant can perform in the disabled condition. Rehabilitation
services are usually provided by private rehabilitation counselors, who are supervised by the
OWCP. Where rehabilitation is under way, the OWCP may provide a monthly maintenance
allowance not to exceed $200, in addition to compensation for wage loss. See FECA PM 2-813 and
OWCP PM Part 3.
g. Attendant Allowances. 20 C.F.R. 10.312 allows payment for services of an attendant where
it is medically documented that the claimant requires assistance to care for personal needs such as
bathing, dressing, eating, etc. Such services are paid as a medical expense under 5 U.S.C. 8103;
are limited to $1500 per month under 5 U.S.C. 8111; and are paid directly to the provider of the
services. See FECA PM 2-812.
h. Duration of Compensation. Compensation payments for total disability may continue as
long as the medical evidence supports such payment. As with medical care, no cap is placed on
the amount or the length of time for which compensation for total disability may be paid. See
FECA PM 2-812.
i. Reemployment and Loss of Wage-Earning Capacity. When an injury results in partial
disability, and the employee suffers a wage loss because of the disability, compensation may be
paid for such loss of wage-earning capacity. See FECA PM 2-814.
FECA-PT2 Printed: 06/08/2010 5