Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

j. Schedule Awards. The FECA also provides for payment of compensation for permanent loss
or loss of use (either partial or total) of certain internal organs and members or functions of the
body such as arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, eyes, and loss of hearing or loss of vision. Each
extremity or function has been rated at a specific number of weeks of compensation which can be
paid even though the employee returns to work at full salary. Where a serious disfigurement of
the head, face, or neck results from a job-related injury, an award may also be made for such
disfigurement, not to exceed $3,500. See FECA PM 2-808.
k. Survivor Benefits. In the event of death due to employment, the Act provides for funeral
and burial expenses up to $800, and up to $200 for the administrative costs of terminating a
decedent's status as a Federal employee. The law provides compensation for widows or widowers
with no eligible children at the rate of 50 percent of the deceased employee's monthly salary, and
for widows or widowers with eligible children at 45 percent. If a spouse survives, each child
receives 15 percent, up to total of 30 percent. Where no spouse survives, the rate for the first
child is 40 percent, plus 15 percent for each additional child, shared equally among all children.
Monthly payments for all beneficiaries generally cannot exceed 75 percent of the employee's
monthly pay rate. Other persons who may also qualify for benefits are dependent parents,
brothers, sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren. See FECA PM 2-700.
l. Cost-of-Living Adjustments. In general, if compensation has been paid in either a disability
or death case for over a year, Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments are made to compensation.
See FECA PM 2-900.
m. Third Party Liability. Where an employee's compensable injury or death results from
circumstances creating a legal liability on some party other than the United States, the cost of
compensation and other benefits paid by the OWCP must be refunded from any settlement
obtained. The OWCP will assist in obtaining the settlement; the law guarantees that a certain
proportion of the settlement (after any attorney fees and costs are first deducted) may be retained
even when the cost of compensation and other benefits exceeds the amount of the settlement.
See FECA PM 2-1100.
n. Dual Benefits. The law provides that compensation may not be paid concurrently with
certain benefits paid by other Federal agencies. In particular, compensation and a retirement
annuity from OPM may not be paid for the same period except where OWCP is paying a schedule
award, and veterans' benefits may be subject to offset as well. See FECA PM 2-1000.
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