OWCP FORM CA-7 & CA-7A Deep Dive Tutorial

CA-7 Form is used When the CE first becomes aware that the claimant is disabled from work (even if the COP period has not expired or a wage-loss claim has not yet been received).

(b) The first CA-7, Claim for Compensation, is approved for a nonintermittent period of leave without pay, and medical evidence supports continued disability from work. The CA-7 form asks the claimant to reportall earnings from employment (outside of his/her federal job) for the period claimed on the CA-7. The claimant is specifically advised to include all employment for which salary, wages, sales commissions, etc. are received.  By signing the form, the claimant is certifying the accuracy and truthfulness of the information contained on the form.

The Form CA-7 (Claim for Compensation) is the official U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) form that an injured federal employee (or their survivor) uses to request monetary compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). 

Click on the transcript for more information to source for scheduled awards. 

The podcaster is Dr. Stephen Taylor, OWCP legal consultant for Oberheiden Law Firm.  Dr. Taylor’s contact information is:

https://fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com If you need a medical provider or assistance with an OWCP /  DOL claim in Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola Florida, Mississippi or Daphne Alabama    you can make an appointment to see Dr. Taylor, or Dr. Sullivan   at the clinic at  FWC Medical Centers. To make a consultation with Dr. Taylor  call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or go  to our website at https://fwcmedicalcenters.net/     or     https://fedcompconsultants.com/

Transcript

HI I’m Dr. Stephen Taylor a federal Workers Compensation Consultant and a medical provider in Tampa & Pensacola Florida who has been helping government employees with work-related injuries, disability, FERS Disability, VA disability and other types of Federal program filings for 30 years. I have helped too many people to count  all over the country with properly filing their Federal Workers Compensation Claims and/or disability claims for about three decades. After all these years I have decided  to create a tutorial podcast to assist with all kinds of topics related to injured federal workers and/or contractors. The name of this tutorial podcast is  Federal Workers Compensation Coffee break Podcast. It is based on the lunch and learn short learning format.  Here at this podcast we discuss all sorts of topics related to federal workers compensation, Department of Labor, OWCP, FECA ACT, FERS, longshore-maritime, DOD contractors, VA benefits over a cup of coffee. I cover these relevant topics in a short coffee break style format because in order to discuss topics that  government employees always ask for assistance on for all of these years.  I do this to assist you the government employee, you and your doctor or your coworkers with claim filing denials or with appropriate filing of benefit claims, disability or injured worker claims. The best part about this podcast and all of it’s tutorials for successfully navigating DOL, FERS & OWCP benefits… is that I do it all for free. All you need is a cup of coffee and a notebook.

Today we are going over  the CA-7 and the CA-7 A OWCP forms from an injured workers perspective. I get more questions about this than any one thing in OWCP. I am going into way more details about the CA-7 and the CA-7a today and how to understand when and how to use it correctly. 

Ok let's get out coffee going and  READY---LET'S BEGIN? Today I want to give a clear, step-by-step explanation of Form CA-7a (“Time Analysis Form”)—its purpose, when to use it, who completes which parts, and how it interacts with Form CA-7 and leave/wage-loss claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).

First when to use a CA-7 versus a CA-7A?

CA-7 Form is used When the CE first becomes aware that the claimant is disabled from work (even if the COP period has not expired or a wage-loss claim has not yet been received).

(b) The first CA-7, Claim for Compensation, is approved for a nonintermittent period of leave without pay, and medical evidence supports continued disability from work. The CA-7 form asks the claimant to report all earnings from employment (outside of his/her federal job) for the period claimed on the CA-7. The claimant is specifically advised to include all employment for which salary, wages, sales commissions, etc. are received, including any self employment, and that failure to report such may result in forfeiture of compensation or criminal prosecution. By signing the form, the claimant is certifying the accuracy and truthfulness of the information contained on the form.

The Form CA-7 (Claim for Compensation) is the official U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) form that an injured federal employee (or their survivor) uses to request monetary compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). It is not used to report the initial injury (that’s CA-1 or CA-2) or to request medical treatment (that’s CA-16/CA-17). The CA-7 is strictly for claiming money—wage-loss compensation, schedule awards, or death benefits.

  Primary Uses of Form CA-7

- Claiming wage-loss compensation (temporary total or temporary partial disability) when off work or on light duty

- Claiming a Schedule Award for permanent impairment to a scheduled member (arm, leg, eye, hearing, etc.)

- Claiming continuation of pay (COP) buy-back after the initial 45 days (rare)

- Claiming compensation for leave buy-back (annual/sick leave used because of the injury)

- Survivor claims for death benefits

 Three Real-World Examples of Proper CA-7 Implementation  

(How the injured worker and OWCP claims examiner correctly handle it)

Example 1 – Wage-Loss Compensation (Temporary Total Disability)  

- Injured Worker: A USPS letter carrier tears her Achilles tendon (accepted claim). After surgery she is off work for 12 weeks. She completes page 1 of the CA-7, checks box 1 (wage loss), lists the exact dates she was off, attaches medical documentation showing she was totally disabled, and gives the form to her supervisor within 30 days of the pay period.  

- Claims Examiner: Receives the CA-7, verifies the medical evidence supports total disability for those dates, confirms the pay rate on the CA-20a (pay-rate worksheet), calculates 66⅔% (or 75% with dependents) of her average weekly wage, and issues payment via direct deposit for the exact period claimed. No development letter needed—clean approval.

Example 2 – Schedule Award for Permanent Impairment  

- Injured Worker: A TSA officer develops 18% permanent impairment to his dominant hand from accepted carpal tunnel surgery. He waits until he reaches Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), obtains a detailed impairment rating report from his surgeon using the AMA Guides 6th Edition, completes page 1 of the CA-7, checks box 8 (“Schedule Award”), lists “right hand – 18%,” attaches the rating report and signs/dates it.  

- Claims Examiner: Reviews the CA-7 and medical report, finds it fully meets the requirements (MMI declared, AMA Guides cited, objective measurements included), forwards to the District Medical Advisor only for a quick concurrence (common courtesy on clear cases), calculates 18% × 244 weeks × 66⅔% of pay rate, and issues a formal schedule award decision letter with payment (usually in one lump sum or installments).

Example 3 – Leave Buy-Back After Returning to Full Duty  

- Injured Worker: A VA nurse uses 240 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of annual leave while recovering from an accepted back strain. Once she returns to full duty and the claim is accepted, she submits a CA-7 (checks box 6 – “Leave Buy-Back”), lists the exact leave hours and pay periods used, attaches payroll records showing the leave taken, and provides medical evidence covering those dates.  

- Claims Examiner: Verifies the leave was used because of the accepted injury, confirms the agency restored the leave to the employee’s balance, calculates the exact dollar amount OWCP owes based on the pay rate at the time the leave was used, and reimburses the employee directly (or the agency if they prefer).

  Quick Tips for Success with CA-7

- Submit within 3 years of the date compensation is claimed (statute of limitations).  

- Always attach supporting medical evidence (especially for wage loss or schedule awards).  

- Use the ECOMP system to upload—it’s faster and gives you a tracking number.  

- Keep copies of everything you send.

The CA-7 is literally your paycheck request form under FECA—fill it out right, back it up with solid evidence, and the claims examiner can process it quickly and correctly.

Lastly, the CA-7 form has a rule most people do not know about and is abused regularly by the employee agency. It is called the 5 day rule. The 5-day requirement for the employing agency to complete and return its portion of the CA-7 form to OWCP is specified in the implementing regulations for the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), codified at 20 C.F.R. § 10.111(c). This regulation states: "Upon receipt of Form CA-7 from the employee, or someone acting on his or her behalf, the employer shall complete the appropriate portions of the form. As soon as possible, but no more than five working days after receipt from the employee, the employer shall forward the completed CA-7 and any accompanying medical report to OWCP."

This timeline is not directly stated in the FECA statute itself (5 U.S.C. Chapter 81), which outlines general filing requirements for claims (e.g., within 3 years of injury under 5 U.S.C. § 8125) but delegates procedural details to the Secretary of Labor. The DFEC Procedure Manual (Part 2, Chapter 2.801, on initial claims for compensation) references the regulatory requirements for CA-7 processing and aligns with the 5-working-day agency response timeframe for forwarding the form after employee submission, emphasizing timely adjudication to avoid delays in compensation. The manual does not independently mandate the exact 5 days but incorporates and operationalizes the CFR rule, including ECOMP workflows where the agency representative and reviewer must act within this period before submission to OWCP for adjudication. Performance metrics in DFEC compliance reports further track agency adherence to this 5-working-day (or 7-calendar-day equivalent) standard.

1. What Is Form CA-7a?

• Official Title: Time Analysis Form
• Purpose: To document intermittent or irregular hours of wage loss (missed work) due to a traumatic injury (CA-1 claim) when the employee is not totally disabled but loses time in blocks of less than a full day (e.g., 2 hours for doctor visits, 4 hours of flare-up pain, etc.).
• Key Use: Supports Form CA-7 (Claim for Compensation) when claiming partial-day wage loss or intermittent LWOP.

Note: CA-7a is NOT used for full-day absences. Full days are reported directly on CA-7 (Block 13) or via payroll codes.

2. When Must You Use CA-7a?

Use CA-7a only if:

 | Condition | Required?
| Employee misses partial days (e.g., 1–7 hours) | YES
| Employee is totally disabled (full days off) | NO – Use CA-7 only
| Employee uses leave for full days (AL/SL/LWOP) | NO – Report on CA-7
| Doctor appointments, therapy, or flare-ups cause intermittent lost time | YES

3. Who Completes Which Parts?

 | Section | Completed By | Details
| Top Section (Employee Info) | Injured Employee | Name, SSN, Claim , Pay Rate, Date of Injury
| Column A – Date | Employee or Supervisor | Calendar date of each partial absence
| Column B – Hours Lost | Employee or Supervisor | Exact hours missed (e.g., 3.5, 1.0)
| Column C – Type of Leave Used | Supervisor (Payroll) | AL, SL, LWOP, COP (if applicable)
| Column D – Reason Code | Supervisor | Medical (M), Therapy (T), Exam (E), etc.
| Certification (Bottom) | Supervisor signs | Confirms accuracy of hours and leave used
| Employee Signs | Injured Worker | Certifies truthfulness

Tip: Always attach medical documentation (e.g., doctor’s note, CA-20) justifying each partial absence.

4. How CA-7a Works with CA-7

 | Step | Action
| 1 | Employee tracks partial-day absences on CA-7a (or agency may provide pre-filled version).
| 2 | At the end of the pay period or claim period, total hours from CA-7a are summed.
| 3 | Total is entered on Form CA-7, Block 13 (“Hours claimed this period”) as partial-day compensation.
| 4 | CA-7 + CA-7a + medical evidence → Submitted to OWCP via agency.
| 5 | OWCP pays 66⅔% (or 75% with dependents) of hourly rate × hours lost.

Example:

• Missed 3 hrs on 10/5, 2 hrs on 10/7, 4 hrs on 10/10 → CA-7a totals 9 hours
• Enter 9.0 in CA-7 Block 13 → OWCP pays ~$180 (if hourly rate = $30)

5. Special Rules & Tips

 | Rule | Explanation
| 3-Day Waiting Period | First 3 calendar days of wage loss are not paid unless disability >14 days or becomes permanent.
| COP Interaction | COP covers full calendar days only. Partial days during COP still require CA-7a if leave is used.
| Leave Buy-Back | If employee used AL/SL for partial days, CA-7a supports buy-back via CA-7 (repay leave pay, restore leave).
| Agency Role | Agency must verify hours and sign CA-7a. Delays often occur if payroll doesn’t complete it.
| Submission Timing | File CA-7 + CA-7a within 5 days after pay period ends (or every 2 weeks for ongoing claims).

6. Sample CA-7a Entry (Partial)

 | A (Date) | B (Hrs Lost) | C (Leave) | D (Reason)
| 10/05/2025 | 3.0 | SL | Doctor visit
| 10/07/2025 | 2.0 | AL | Physical therapy
| 10/10/2025 | 4.0 | LWOP | Pain flare-up
| Total | 9.0 |   | 

→ Enter 9.0 hrs on CA-7 Block 13

7. Official Resources

• OWCP CA-7a Form: dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/CA-7a.pdf
• FECA Handbook: Chapter 2-0807 (Time Analysis)

Bottom Line:
CA-7a is the bridge between partial-day absences and OWCP compensation. Use it only for intermittent lost time, have your supervisor certify it, and attach it to every CA-7 claiming partial wage loss. Without it, OWCP will deny or delay payment for partial days.

WHEW… that is a lot of information… I think we have covered enough today. 

So,  I want to thank you for listening and want to remind you to share this podcast with other federal workers you think would benefit from this information. Also be kind enough to leave a review on the platform you found this podcast, like or subscribe to any of the major podcast platforms or our youtube channel so others will also find this information. Also if you need an approved  medical provider for your DOL -OWCP Or Longshore case in Florida you can still  find me in Tampa, Jacksonville  and Pensacola. To make a consultation with me to discuss your case or if you know someone if Florida who is recently injured you can call the clinic at 813-215-4356 or 813-877-6900 or go  to our website at https://fedcompconsultants.com/   & https://mrtherapycenter.com/  Also if you are in  another state and you want me to assist you with claim questions or assistance for your  doctor you can email me at fedcompconsultants@protonmail.com 

Ok… I think that is enough for today…I need to warm up this coffee and get going. As usual I want to thank all of you who put on that uniform, that badge, deliver that mail, take care of our veterans and make this government run… a big thank you. I do this for free just for you…We could not do this  without all of the work all of you out there do…so this is my big  thank you. And remember if you  have an injured federal claim and you need assistance….I am  here to help!. Also remember there is power in prayer. Pray for you nation, coworkers and for God's providence in current times of unrest. 

See you next time.