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  • May 15, 2026

How to Fill Out DOL Form CA-7 (w/Examples) + FAQs

You file DOL Form CA-7 to claim wage-loss compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act when a work-related injury keeps you off the job past the 45-day Continuation of Pay (COP) period. The form goes to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) through your employing agency, usually by way of the ECOMP electronic filing system.

The CA-7 is not a courtesy. It is the legal trigger for your federal disability pay, schedule awards, and leave buy-back rights under 5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.. Miss a box, miss a date, or miss a medical report, and OWCP will deny or delay your wage-loss benefits, sometimes for months. According to the DOL FECA Annual Report to Congress, OWCP processed over 117,000 new wage-loss and schedule award claims in a recent fiscal year, and a meaningful share were returned for missing or wrong information on the CA-7.

Here is what this guide gives you, written for injured federal workers, HR specialists, union reps, and FECA attorneys alike.

  • 📋 A line-by-line walk-through of the CA-7 and its companions, CA-7a, CA-7b, and CA-20
  • ⚖️ The exact statutes and rules at 20 C.F.R. Part 10 that drive each box
  • 💼 Real named examples for postal carriers, VA nurses, TSA officers, and more
  • 🚫 The seven-plus mistakes that get CA-7 claims denied or sent back
  • 💡 A full FAQ that answers the questions OWCP claims examiners hear daily

What Form CA-7 Is and Why It Exists

Form CA-7, titled Claim for Compensation, is the Department of Labor’s official wage-loss claim form for federal civilian employees hurt on the job. The legal authority for the form sits in 5 U.S.C. § 8121, which requires a written claim before OWCP can pay compensation. The companion regulation at 20 C.F.R. § 10.102 tells you when and how to file it.

The plain-English meaning is simple. If you cannot work, or you can only work fewer hours, you must ask OWCP in writing to pay you. The CA-7 is that written ask. The consequence of not filing is direct. OWCP will not send a single dollar of wage-loss pay without an accepted CA-7 on file, no matter how badly you are hurt.

Imagine Marcus, a USPS letter carrier who tears his rotator cuff lifting a parcel. His COP runs out on day 45. He thinks his accepted CA-1 is enough. It is not. Without a CA-7, his paycheck stops cold on day 46.

A common misconception is that the CA-7 is only for long-term disability. It is not. You use the CA-7 for any wage loss past COP, even a single day, and for schedule awards, leave buy-back, and recurrences. Confusing the CA-7 with the CA-1 traumatic injury notice or the CA-2 occupational disease notice is one of the top reasons claims sit unpaid.

Who Must File a CA-7

Any federal civilian employee covered by FECA can file. That includes postal workers, VA nurses, TSA officers, Border Patrol agents, IRS auditors, Forest Service crews, and most other executive branch staff. Coverage rules sit at 5 U.S.C. § 8101(1), which defines employee broadly.

Contractors are not covered. Volunteers usually are not, with narrow exceptions. The consequence of filing when you are not covered is a quick denial and a wasted month. Before filing, confirm your status with your agency’s Injury Compensation Program Administrator (ICPA).

A common misconception is that part-time or temporary federal workers cannot file. They can, as long as the injury happened in the performance of duty. Linda, a seasonal Forest Service firefighter, files a CA-7 after a back injury and gets paid based on her seasonal earnings.

When the CA-7 Is Due

You should file the CA-7 on or about the 40th day of COP, so OWCP has time to set up payment before day 46. The agency must forward the CA-7 to OWCP within 5 business days of receipt under 20 C.F.R. § 10.111.

The consequence of late filing is a gap in pay. OWCP cannot start payments retroactively without the form. The three-year statutory time limit at 5 U.S.C. § 8122 is the outer wall, but waiting that long is a bad idea.

A common misconception is that COP and CA-7 wage loss overlap. They do not. COP, governed by 20 C.F.R. § 10.205, is paid by the agency for up to 45 calendar days. CA-7 wage loss is paid by OWCP starting on day 46.

Step-by-Step: Filling Out the CA-7

The CA-7 has two main parts. The employee fills out the front. The employing agency fills out the back. The current form is OMB-approved and posted at the DOL FECA forms page. Most filings now happen inside ECOMP, which auto-routes the form to your agency and then to OWCP.

Below is a box-by-box walk-through. Each line covers the plain-English meaning, the consequence of an error, a quick example, and the misconception that trips claimants up.

Section 1 — Employee Information (Boxes 1 through 9)

Boxes 1 through 9 capture your name, mailing address, date of birth, Social Security number, telephone, dependents, and the OWCP file number assigned to your underlying CA-1 or CA-2. The OWCP file number is critical. Without it, the CA-7 cannot be matched to your accepted injury claim.

The consequence of a wrong file number is a returned form and a delay of two to six weeks. James, a TSA officer in Atlanta, writes his SSN in the file-number box by mistake. His CA-7 sits in OWCP’s mailroom for three weeks before a claims examiner kicks it back.

A common misconception is that the dependents box affects the fact of payment. It does not. It affects the rate. Compensation is paid at 66 2/3% of pay with no dependents and 75% with at least one eligible dependent under 5 U.S.C. § 8110.

Section 2 — Type of Claim (Box 10 and Related)

You must check the right box for the type of compensation you want. The choices include total disability, partial disability, schedule award, and leave buy-back. Each choice triggers different proof rules under 20 C.F.R. § 10.501 and following sections.

The consequence of checking the wrong box is the wrong adjudication path. Aisha, a VA nurse with a permanent finger impairment, checks total disability instead of schedule award. Her claim is denied because she is back at work full duty. She has to refile a corrected CA-7.

A common misconception is that you can ask for everything at once on a single CA-7. You cannot. Schedule awards under 5 U.S.C. § 8107 usually need a separate CA-7 with a maximum medical improvement (MMI) report and a permanent impairment rating under the AMA Guides, 6th Edition.

Section 3 — Period of Compensation Claimed

You list the exact dates you want paid. Use the format MM/DD/YYYY and split out periods if you returned to work in between. The dates must match your medical evidence and your time-and-attendance records.

The consequence of mismatched dates is a partial denial. If you claim 10/01/2025 through 12/15/2025 but your doctor only takes you off work through 11/30/2025, OWCP will pay through 11/30 and deny the rest, leaving you unpaid for two weeks.

A common misconception is that weekends and holidays should be skipped. They should not. OWCP pays for calendar days off work, not workdays. Carlos, a Border Patrol agent, lists only his scheduled shift days and underclaims by 30%.

Section 4 — Earnings From Other Employment

You must disclose any earnings from non-federal work during the claimed period. The rule is in 20 C.F.R. § 10.525, which requires reporting all earnings from employment and self-employment.

The consequence of hiding earnings is severe. False statements can lead to forfeiture of compensation under 5 U.S.C. § 8106(b) and criminal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1920. Forfeiture means OWCP can recover every dollar paid during the period of the false statement.

A common misconception is that side gigs do not count if they are cash or part-time. They do count. Even a weekend dog-walking app side hustle has to be reported.

Section 5 — Employee Signature and Date

Your signature certifies that the information is true under penalty of perjury. The penalty warning at the bottom of the CA-7 references 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 18 U.S.C. § 1920.

The consequence of an unsigned CA-7 is automatic return. ECOMP will not even let you submit without the digital signature. On paper, an unsigned form is treated as not filed.

A common misconception is that a power of attorney can sign for an injured worker who is too hurt to sign. POA is generally not accepted by OWCP. A guardian or conservator under court order is, with the order attached.

Section 6 — Agency Portion (Boxes 11 through 35)

The employing agency completes the back of the CA-7. The agency lists pay rate, fringe benefits, dates of last pay, leave used, and whether the employee is still on the rolls. The pay rate must follow 5 U.S.C. § 8114, which sets the date of injury pay rate as the default.

The consequence of an incorrect pay rate is underpayment for years. If the agency forgets night differential or Sunday premium pay, the claimant loses real money every two weeks. The fix is a CA-7 amendment plus retroactive adjustment.

A common misconception is that the employee can fill in the agency portion. The employee cannot. Only an authorized agency representative, usually the ICPA or HR specialist, can complete and certify the back.

CA-7a: Time Analysis Form

The CA-7a is a time analysis sheet that breaks the claimed period into daily hours of leave used, leave without pay (LWOP), and hours worked. You must attach a CA-7a any time the claimed period includes mixed status, such as part-day absences or intermittent disability.

The consequence of skipping the CA-7a is a math dispute. OWCP cannot calculate partial wage loss without a daily breakdown. The claim either gets denied for insufficient evidence or sent back for the form.

Priya, an IRS auditor with chronic migraines, misses three afternoons a week for two months. Her CA-7a shows 4 hours of LWOP per affected day, and OWCP pays partial disability.

A common misconception is that the CA-7a is only for long claims. It is required whenever hours are split, even for a single week.

CA-7b: Leave Buy-Back

The CA-7b lets you buy back sick or annual leave used during the disability period and have OWCP pay you wage-loss compensation instead. The rule is at 20 C.F.R. § 10.310. You repay your agency for the leave, and OWCP pays you the FECA rate.

The consequence of skipping leave buy-back is permanent loss of leave hours. Tom, a Forest Service ranger, uses 240 hours of sick leave after a chainsaw injury. Without a CA-7b, those hours are gone forever. With one, he restores 240 hours and gets the FECA differential.

A common misconception is that leave buy-back is automatic with the CA-7. It is not. It is a separate election that requires the CA-7b, agency cost data, and an OWCP approval letter before you cut a check to your agency.

CA-20: Attending Physician’s Report

The CA-20 is the medical companion. Your doctor fills it out to certify the diagnosis, causal relationship, and work restrictions. Without strong CA-20 medical, your CA-7 fails on the merits, no matter how clean the wage data is.

The consequence of a thin CA-20 is denial for insufficient medical evidence, the single most common denial reason cited in ECAB decisions. The doctor must give a rationalized medical opinion, meaning a clear explanation tying the diagnosis to the accepted work injury.

A common misconception is that a chiropractor’s report is enough. Under 5 U.S.C. § 8101(2), chiropractor opinions are accepted only for a subluxation as demonstrated by X-ray. Anything beyond that needs an MD or DO.

Three Real-World CA-7 Scenarios

The table below shows three of the most common CA-7 fact patterns and what OWCP does with each one. Each row reflects rules drawn from the FECA Procedure Manual.

Scenario 1: Letter Carrier With Knee Surgery

Filing Step OWCP Outcome
Marcus files CA-7 on day 40 of COP with CA-20 from his orthopedist Claim is set up before day 46, no pay gap
He lists dates 11/15/2025 to 02/15/2026 with full disability OWCP pays 75% of pay with one dependent
Agency lists base pay plus night differential Pay rate is correctly set under 5 U.S.C. § 8114

Scenario 2: VA Nurse With Permanent Hand Impairment

Filing Step OWCP Outcome
Aisha returns to full duty but has permanent finger stiffness She files a separate CA-7 for a schedule award
Doctor issues an MMI report with a 12% finger impairment OWCP awards weeks of compensation per 5 U.S.C. § 8107
She uses the AMA Guides 6th Edition rating OWCP accepts the rating and issues a lump-sum-style payout

Scenario 3: TSA Officer With Recurrence

Filing Step OWCP Outcome
James returns to work, then has a recurrence 9 months later He files a CA-7 plus a CA-2a recurrence notice
He attaches a fresh CA-20 explaining causal relationship OWCP reopens the claim and pays from the recurrence date
Pay rate is recalculated under 20 C.F.R. § 10.404 Higher of two pay-rate options is used

Filing Through ECOMP vs. Paper

Most agencies require ECOMP filing for the CA-7. ECOMP routes the form, tracks the 5-day agency clock, and gives the claimant a real-time status. The system is run by OWCP and is free to use.

The consequence of paper filing where ECOMP is required is a slower process and a higher error rate. Paper forms get lost, mis-scanned, and mis-routed. Some unionized workplaces still allow paper, but the trend is clear.

A common misconception is that ECOMP replaces the medical narrative. It does not. You still need a CA-20 or a narrative report uploaded as a PDF. ECOMP is a delivery system, not a medical record.

Tracking Status After Filing

After submission, you can track status in ECOMP or by calling the OWCP district office handling your claim. OWCP aims to make a first payment within 14 days of receiving a complete CA-7, per agency performance goals in the DOL Annual Performance Report.

The consequence of not tracking is missed deadlines. If OWCP issues a development letter asking for more evidence, you usually get 30 days to respond under 20 C.F.R. § 10.121. Miss that, and the claim is denied.

A common misconception is that silence means acceptance. It does not. Silence means the claim is still pending, and pending claims do not pay.

Mistakes to Avoid on the CA-7

The mistakes below come up over and over in ECAB case law and OWCP development letters. Each one has a real consequence.

  • Filing without an OWCP file number, which causes the form to be unmatchable and returned
  • Checking the wrong type of claim, which routes the file down the wrong adjudication path under 20 C.F.R. § 10.501
  • Listing only workdays instead of calendar days, which underclaims wage loss by up to 40%
  • Skipping the CA-7a when hours are mixed, which makes partial wage loss impossible to compute
  • Failing to disclose outside earnings, which can trigger forfeiture under 5 U.S.C. § 8106(b)
  • Submitting a thin CA-20 without a rationalized medical opinion, which is the top denial reason in FECA
  • Letting the agency complete the wrong pay rate, which underpays the claimant for the life of the claim
  • Missing the 30-day response window on an OWCP development letter, which leads to a denial under 20 C.F.R. § 10.121
  • Forgetting to file a separate CA-7 for a schedule award after MMI, which leaves money on the table
  • Using a chiropractor as the only medical source outside of an X-ray-documented subluxation

Do’s and Don’ts

The list below mirrors guidance in the FECA Procedure Manual Part 2 and decades of ECAB rulings.

Do’s

  • Do file the CA-7 on or about day 40 of COP so OWCP can pay on day 46
  • Do attach a current CA-20 with a clear rationalized medical opinion, the gold standard cited in ECAB precedent
  • Do use ECOMP whenever your agency offers it, because it tracks the 5-day clock automatically
  • Do keep copies of every page submitted, including medical, in case OWCP loses the file
  • Do answer development letters within 30 days, in writing, with new evidence rather than argument

Don’ts

  • Don’t combine a schedule award and a wage-loss claim on the same CA-7
  • Don’t sign a CA-7 with blank dates or blank earnings boxes, because OWCP treats blanks as zero
  • Don’t rely on your supervisor to forward the form, because the 5-day rule starts when the agency receives it
  • Don’t hide outside income, because forfeiture and criminal exposure under 18 U.S.C. § 1920 are real
  • Don’t skip the CA-7b if you used leave, because lost leave does not come back without it

Pros and Cons of Filing CA-7 Quickly

There are upsides and downsides to fast filing. The list below helps you weigh them.

Pros

  • Faster wage replacement starting on day 46 of COP, with no pay gap
  • Earlier OWCP development of the medical record, which builds a stronger file
  • Locked-in pay rate under 5 U.S.C. § 8114 at the date-of-injury level
  • Easier coordination with leave buy-back through the CA-7b
  • Cleaner appeal record if OWCP denies and you go to ECAB

Cons

  • Risk of an incomplete medical record if your doctor has not finalized restrictions
  • Possible underclaiming if you file before all disability dates are known
  • Pressure on the agency to compute pay rate fast, which can lead to errors
  • Locked-in dependents box that may need an amendment if family status changes
  • Triggers OWCP scrutiny of outside earnings sooner rather than later

Key Entities You Should Know

The CA-7 process pulls in several agencies, statutes, and decision bodies. Knowing each one helps you spot where your claim sits.

Recap of Key ECAB Rulings That Shape CA-7 Claims

ECAB decisions bind OWCP claims examiners. A handful of rulings come up again and again on CA-7 issues.

In Robert F. Hamilton, 41 ECAB 431 (1990), ECAB confirmed that a claimant carries the burden of proving each period of disability with medical evidence. The lesson is that every date on your CA-7 needs medical backing on the CA-20 or a narrative.

In John W. Butler, 39 ECAB 852 (1988), ECAB held that a rationalized medical opinion must explain the how and why of causal relationship, not just state a conclusion. A doctor who writes only “work-related” loses the case. A doctor who explains the mechanism wins it.

In Frederick E. Williams, 53 ECAB 444 (2002), ECAB clarified that schedule awards under 5 U.S.C. § 8107 require a rating under the AMA Guides edition in effect at the time of the award decision, not the date of injury. That is why your CA-7 schedule award packet must reference the AMA Guides 6th Edition.

State Law Nuances

FECA is exclusive for federal workers, which means state workers’ compensation laws do not apply. The exclusivity rule sits at 5 U.S.C. § 8116(c). You cannot file a CA-7 and a state workers’ comp claim for the same injury.

The consequence of trying is a denied state claim and possible offset of any third-party recovery. Sofia, a federal contractor’s true federal employee in California, tries to file in California’s DWC system. California denies for lack of jurisdiction, and she loses two months.

A common misconception is that quasi-federal workers like contractors fall under FECA. They generally do not. They fall under either state law or the Defense Base Act if abroad on a military contract.

FAQs

Do I have to file a CA-7 to keep my federal pay during the first 45 days?

No. The first 45 days are paid by your agency as Continuation of Pay under 20 C.F.R. § 10.205. You file the CA-7 only when wage loss runs past day 45.

Can I file a CA-7 on paper instead of through ECOMP?

Yes. Paper filing is still legally valid, but most agencies require ECOMP. Paper takes longer, has more errors, and slows the 5-day agency clock.

Will OWCP pay me at 75% even if I have no children?

Yes. A spouse counts as an eligible dependent under 5 U.S.C. § 8110. Without a spouse or dependent child, the rate is 66 2/3%.

Can I claim weekends on my CA-7?

Yes. OWCP pays for calendar days of disability, not just workdays. Listing only workdays underclaims your wage loss by a large margin.

Do I need a separate CA-7 for a schedule award?

Yes. A schedule award under 5 U.S.C. § 8107 requires its own CA-7 with an MMI report and an AMA Guides rating from your doctor.

Can my chiropractor sign the CA-20?

No. Chiropractor reports are accepted only for an X-ray-confirmed subluxation under 5 U.S.C. § 8101(2). Anything broader needs an MD or DO.

Will OWCP take my federal sick leave back if I file a CA-7b?

Yes. The CA-7b allows leave buy-back so you restore sick or annual leave hours used during the disability period under 20 C.F.R. § 10.310.

Can I file a CA-7 three years after my injury?

Yes. The outer limit is three years from injury or last payment under 5 U.S.C. § 8122, but waiting that long usually means a weaker medical record and harder proof.

Do I have to disclose my Uber side income on the CA-7?

Yes. All earnings from any work, including gig work, must be reported under 20 C.F.R. § 10.525. Hiding it can trigger forfeiture and criminal liability.

Can I appeal an OWCP denial of my CA-7?

Yes. You can ask for reconsideration, an oral hearing, or a written review, then appeal to the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board under 20 C.F.R. § 10.600.

Will OWCP pay me retroactively if my CA-7 is approved months later?

Yes. Once approved, OWCP pays from the first date of compensable wage loss, subject to the dates supported by your medical evidence and CA-7a.

Can my agency refuse to forward my CA-7 to OWCP?

No. The agency must forward the form within 5 business days under 20 C.F.R. § 10.111. Refusal can be reported to the OWCP district director.

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