Periodic wage-loss payments are WC. These payments are normally two-thirds of the previous wages, but if the number holder (NH) has one or more dependents, the payment rises to three-quarters of the previous wage. Offset DIB using the entire gross FECA payment, whether paid at the two-thirds amount or the three-quarters amount.

DOL pays short-term FECA benefits weekly and long-term FECA benefits every 28 days. To determine the monthly equivalent, follow Determining the Workers’ Compensation/Public Disability Benefit (WC/PDB) Amount Used to Compute Offset instructions in DI 52150.035C.

Since it is not always possible to determine how long the injury or illness will prevent the NH from working, many FECA cases begin with weekly payments and progress to 28-day long-term disability payments (see E. in this section).

FECA schedule awards are offsettable WC payments that compensate number holders (NHs) for the work-related loss of, or loss of use of, one or more body parts. Schedule awards are not paid simultaneously with regular wage-loss payments for the same injury. These awards begin once maximum medical improvement has occurred for the body part involved. FECA schedule awards pay WC for a statutory number of weeks depending on the body part(s) affected. For example, FECA may allot 46 weeks for a pointer finger or 312 weeks for an arm.

Schedule awards not paid simultaneously with regular wage-loss payments can continue while the NH receives a disability retirement pension under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). We consider both the CSRS and FERS payments as federal public disability benefits (PDBs). Therefore, it is possible for PDB offset and WC offset to apply if the claimant receives both FECA (WC) and a CSRS or FERS disability retirement pension (PDBs).

DOL pays schedule awards without regard to loss of earning capacity. The NH can actually receive a schedule award after going back to work even if the work is in the same or different employment.

Disfigurement payments compensate NHs whose injury causes permanent damage to the head, face, or neck. FECA disfigurement is a separate, offsettable award of up to $3,500.00.

VR may pay up to $200.00 monthly and is usually paid in addition to WC. Therefore, it is rarely subject to offset. For VR payment offset rules, see DI 52110.005.

FECA payments may decrease in the following situations:

• •

  The only dependent child, spouse, or parent no longer qualifies as a dependent;

• •

  The NH reenters the workforce or is able to reenter the workforce at a lower salary than prior to becoming disabled; or

• •

  The NH refuses to participate in a VR program or make a good faith effort to obtain reemployment.

FECA payments may increase in the following situations:

• •

  FECA cost-of-living adjustments (see section D. below);

• •

  A qualifying dependent child, spouse, or parent becomes entitled on the NH’s record;

• •

  Payments previously reduced due to a work attempt are no longer reduced when the NH becomes unable to work.

FECA payments may require suspension in the following situations:

• •

  NH fails to comply with a specific request from DOL (failure to attend a medical exam, for example) or fails to respond to requests for information; or

• •

  NH confined due to the conviction of a felony.

NOTE: If DOL suspends FECA, take into consideration the reason for suspension and whether it affects DIB.

FECA payments may terminate when the NH:

• •

  dies;

• •

  returns to work with no loss of wages;

• •

  is no longer medically disabled;

• •

  refuses to work when medically able to;

• •

  quits a job for other than medical reasons;

• •

  never suffered any work-related injury (i.e., if there is a disability, investigation reveals it is not work-related);

• •

  refuses to file a third-party lawsuit related to the work injury when compelled by the government to do so; or

• •

  is guilty of fraud in connection with the WC claim.

NOTE: If DOL terminates FECA, take into consideration the reason for termination, and whether it affects DIB. For example, if the NH’s FECA terminates for work activity, the work may be considered substantial gainful activity (SGA) for DIB purposes.

• •

  NEPSC Workers’ Comp Info Page has a COLA calculator that computes the effect of COLA increases on a NH’s FECA payments. The calculator lists the COLAs retroactive to June 1975.

• •

  Beginning in 1981, COLA increases take effect on March 1. Payment Center (PC) technicians should set a diary for March of each year to adjust the WC offset to reflect the FECA COLA increase.

NOTE: If we do not receive FECA COLA information from the NH or the NH’s representative payee, and the FECA COLA increase results in lower DIB payable after offset, send a due process notice. Due process is not required if the FECA COLA increase has no effect on the DIB payable.

For notice information, see

• •

  GN 03001.015 Notices Required Before And After Taking A Title II Adverse Action

• •

  NL 00703.511 Due Process Notice To Disabled Number Holder (NH)

• •

  If a claimant's weekly compensation rate is greater than the MAX, compensation is limited to the maximum amount.

• •

  When a new MAX is established, it is compared to the amount of compensation in each case at MAX. If the compensation is greater than the old MAX but less than the new, compensation may be paid at the regular rate. Adjustments are made retroactive to the effective date of the new MAX, which is generally the date of an increase in the Federal pay scale.

• •

  Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases do not affect the allowable MAX, though a claimant may be subject to MAX after the application of CPIs.

Take the following actions to request proof of FECA payments:

1. a. 

   Contact the NH first and try to obtain proof of FECA payments and allow 10 business days.

2. b. 

   If you cannot obtain proof from the NH, contact your predetermined assigned Regional subject matter expert (SME) using vHelp. Submit your request for FECA under Primary Topic “Disability” and subtopic “FECA”. Allow 10 business days for the Regional SME to provide proof of FECA payments.

   • •

     If proof is available; process the claim or adjustment using instructions in DI 52115.010 , DI 52150.035, and DI 52150.050.

   • •

     NOTE: If due process applies, send notification to the beneficiary; see GN 03001.015 and NL 00703.511 .

   • •

     If proof is unavailable, proceed to step d. below.

3. c. 

   If the FO technician does not receive a response by vHelp within 10 business days, send a follow-up with normal established procedures. If follow-up is unsuccessful, proceed to step d.

4. d. 

   Follow the guidelines for DOL direct mail contact shown in section F.2.

   • •

     Establish a tickle date for 35 days.

   • •

     If no response is received within 35 days, or the response is inadequate, contact the DFEC district office by telephone following instructions in section F.3. below.

5. e. 

   When you receive the requested proof, review the MBR and the electronic record for any necessary adjustments.

6. f. 

   Set a stand-alone diary for March of the following year per section D. for the PC follow-up to develop for changes and adjust benefits for the FECA COLA.

7. g. 

   Retain the FECA proof following Retention of Workers' Compensation/Public Disability Benefit (WC/PDB) Proofs procedure in DI 52145.015.

The DOL claim number for FECA payments is a nine-digit number that begins with a two-digit code separated from the other seven digits by a hyphen (e.g., 01-2345678). The first two digits identify the DOL district office that handled the claim. If the worker relocates, the originating office retains jurisdiction. Include the DOL claim number and the Social Security Number (SSN) on any correspondence sent to DOL. If the DOL claim number on our records is incorrect, they may be able to use the SSN to access the information.

Take the following actions to request proof from DOL:

1. a. 

   Submit all initial requests for information in writing. Generally, DOL does not respond to faxed requests. Do not send a fax unless DOL requests that you do so.

2. b. 

   Use Form SSA-1709 (Request for Workers’ Compensation/Public Disability Benefit Information) or local version of the DOL Information Request Form.

3. c. 

   Complete and date the form.

4. d. 

   If you need extensive information, request a complete history for the period(s) involved.

5. e. 

   In the PC, scan the completed form into the paperless system and add to the ACR. If working with a paper folder, scan the document with the TOEL code of “FILE WC” and prong-file a copy in the folder.

6. f. 

   Mail requests to:

   U.S. Department of Labor
   DFEC Central Mail room
   P.O. Box 8300
   London, KY 40742-8300

DOL scans the requests into a database and then forwards electronically to the appropriate DFEC district office for their action.

If you do not receive a timely response, contact the appropriate DFEC office at the phone numbers listed on the United States Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), DFEC website.

Contact the office servicing the state where the NH resides or, if different, the state where the injury took place. Use the public contact number, not the Director’s office number. DFEC needs the DOL claim number and the claimant’s name. Identify yourself as a representative from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Explain that we need proof of the gross FECA payment before any deductions, and that we previously requested this information in writing. DFEC should advise when to expect the proof.

Sometimes a DOL representative will ask for written permission from the NH before releasing any information to SSA. This authorization is unnecessary. If the DOL representative insists on the authorization, notify the appropriate regional office (RO) or PC WC analyst, using proper channels. The RO or PC analyst notifies the Office of Income Security Programs, Office of Applications and Electronic Services Support Policy (OISP/OAESP) WC analyst, who then contacts DOL to resolve the issue.