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Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP)
The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
When an injury happens at work, the form often starts with the employing agency and supervisors, who are usually involved in reporting the injury. However, the employing agency is not the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), and the agency cannot accept or deny a claim. Understanding who does what in the process can make it easier to follow and help you focus your efforts in the right place. The key is knowing where OWCP sits in the government, who is assigned to your file, and how decisions are actually made.
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Who Is in Charge of Your Claim?
Where OWCP Sits in Government
OWCP is part of the U.S. Department of Labor. Within OWCP, the Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) administers claims brought by injured federal employees under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). DFEC decides new claims, manages ongoing cases, pays benefits when appropriate, and oversees return-to-work efforts. That organizational structure matters because it separates the benefit decision from the employee's agency. The workers’ compensation claim is decided by OWCP through DFEC, not by the employing agency.
OWCP vs. The Employing Agency
The employing agency has responsibilities in the process, such as completing portions of claim forms, providing employment information, and submitting records. Only OWCP can accept a claim, deny a claim, expand accepted conditions, approve certain benefits, or terminate benefits. Agency management can provide information and contest facts, but the legal decision belongs to OWCP after it reviews the evidence and issues the decision.
Claims Decisions
Your agency can provide information, but only the OWCP can accept, deny, expand, or terminate benefits.Claims Examiner
Know who your CE is. That person develops the file, requests evidence, and issues the decisions that drive the case.Communication
Most communication is done in writing. ECOMP submissions and correspondence often matter more than phone conversations.People in the File
Nurses, rehab specialists, and medical reviewers assist, but they do not make claims decisions.
Who Is on a File?
File Personnel and Their Roles
Every OWCP case is assigned to a district office and a Claims Examiner (CE). The CE is the person who develops the record, requests evidence, reviews submissions, and issues decisions. In practical terms, the letters signed by the CE become the roadmap of the file. When a case becomes more complex or remains active for a long period, additional participants may appear.
Claims Examiner
OWCP NURSES
Rehabilitation Specialist
District Medical Adviser
Second-Opinion Physicians and Referee Physicians
How Decisions Come Out
Most decisions arrive as written correspondence from OWCP. The file develops through letters requesting evidence, explaining deficiencies, setting deadlines, and issuing formal determinations. A claim is not accepted or denied based on a supervisor's opinion. The CE evaluates the evidence of record and issues a decision on behalf of OWCP. If additional conditions are requested, if wage-loss compensation is disputed, or if benefits are later challenged, OWCP issues another written determination. Read all documents carefully.
Communicating With Departments
The Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP) is the online tool used for claim submissions, document uploads, responses to OWCP development letters, and access to certain claim information. Some files include telephone contact information. However, the number provided may connect to a customer service function or call-routing system rather than directly to the person making the decision. Written submissions are often the most reliable way to place information into the record. Medical reports, factual statements, work restrictions, and legal arguments generally carry the greatest weight when properly submitted to OWCP through the available channels.
Where Your Case Stands
Every OWCP file has its own history, evidence, and procedural posture. A denial requires a different analysis than an ECOMP issue. Questions involving agency actions require a different approach than questions about medical evidence or benefits. If you have questions about a specific procedure, you can learn more on our website by reviewing Denials, ECOMP, or the Employer page.
Legal Guidance
If you have received an OWCP decision, development letter, or job offer and are unsure what it means for your claim, contact Aumiller Lomax for a free telephone consultation. We can discuss where your case stands, what issues need attention, and whether representation would be helpful. Have relevant documents available or your ECOMP account open, and tell us about any response deadline.
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