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Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

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(6) Section 8133(a) <strong>of</strong> the <strong>FECA</strong> provides differing percentage distributions<br />

depending on the existence <strong>of</strong> certain eligible beneficiaries; § 8133(b) specifies that<br />

entitlement to compensation ceases upon the occurrence <strong>of</strong> certain events; and §<br />

8133(c) provides for reapportionment <strong>of</strong> compensation "on the cessation <strong>of</strong><br />

compensation under this section to or on account <strong>of</strong> an individual." Only the<br />

occurrence <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the events described in §8133(b) (e.g., remarriage <strong>of</strong> a widow<br />

prior to age 55) can trigger the reapportionment <strong>of</strong> compensation among the other<br />

beneficiaries. The stoppage <strong>of</strong> compensation payments to an eligible beneficiary to<br />

<strong>of</strong>fset a third party surplus is not one <strong>of</strong> the events enumerated in § 8133(b), and<br />

thus does not constitute a basis for reapportionment under §8133(c). The<br />

percentage rates to be used are those specified in § 8133(a), regardless <strong>of</strong> whether<br />

the compensation otherwise payable to another eligible beneficiary is being credited<br />

against a third party surplus. As an example, if a widow participated in a third party<br />

recovery and is <strong>of</strong>fsetting a third party surplus, and a minor child did not participate<br />

in the recovery, or participated but has <strong>of</strong>fset his or her portion <strong>of</strong> the surplus,<br />

compensation for the child would continue to be paid based on 15 percent <strong>of</strong><br />

monthly pay. See Beverly Grunder, claiming as widow <strong>of</strong> Franklin W. Grunder, 36<br />

ECAB 456 (1985).<br />

02-1100-11 Establishment <strong>of</strong> Debt and Debt Management<br />

11. Establishment <strong>of</strong> Debt and Debt Management. When a debt to the United States is established by<br />

OWCP/SOL’s approval <strong>of</strong> a SOR, OWCP/SOL has an obligation to collect the debt. Each <strong>of</strong>fice (DO,<br />

FEEWC) should maintain a log <strong>of</strong> every debt (i.e., a collection docket) which has been established as a<br />

result <strong>of</strong> a recovery from a third party.<br />

a. OWCP District Office Responsibility for Debt Collection in Non-Referred Cases. Upon<br />

establishment <strong>of</strong> the debt, OWCP should advise the claimant that a debt is owed to the United<br />

States, and make an initial demand for payment <strong>of</strong> this debt. For non-referred cases, the DCE is<br />

responsible for releasing the initial demand letter. This initial demand letter must notify the debtor<br />

<strong>of</strong>:<br />

(1) The basis for the debt;<br />

(2) The applicable standards for imposing interest, penalties, or administrative costs;<br />

(3) The date by which payment should be made;<br />

(4) The name, address and telephone number <strong>of</strong> a contact person or <strong>of</strong>fice within the<br />

agency;<br />

(5) That the debtor may enter into a mutually agreeable written repayment agreement;<br />

and<br />

(6) That the debtor may make a written request for a review <strong>of</strong> the determinations<br />

regarding the amount <strong>of</strong> the debt, its past-due status, and its legal enforceability.<br />

The initial demand letter in any non-referred case should also note that, unless payment is<br />

<strong>FECA</strong>-<strong>PT2</strong> Printed: 06/08/2010 573

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