June 10, 2026 · OWCP Forms · 10 min read

How to File OWCP Form CA-7 (Claim for Compensation)

The CA-7 is how you actually get paid by OWCP for the time you have to miss work because of a federal job injury. The CA-1 opens your claim — the CA-7 is what triggers your check. Filing it correctly, with the right medical evidence attached, is the single biggest factor in how fast you get paid.

CA-1 vs CA-7 — What's the Difference?

The CA-1 reports the injury. The CA-7 claims wage-loss compensation. They are separate filings. Many federal workers wrongly assume filing the CA-1 starts their pay — it does not. You must file a CA-7 for every pay period you are out of work due to the accepted injury.

Continuation of Pay (COP) — The First 45 Days

For traumatic injuries (CA-1), federal workers are entitled to up to 45 calendar days of Continuation of Pay. During COP your federal employer keeps paying your regular salary — OWCP does not yet send compensation checks. COP must be elected on the CA-1 and starts when you miss work due to the injury.

COP does not apply to occupational disease (CA-2) claims. If you filed a CA-2, you must file a CA-7 from day one of missed work.

When to File the CA-7

After your 45 days of COP run out and you're still unable to work
Any time you miss work for an occupational disease (CA-2) claim
Each subsequent pay period you remain off work or on partial wage loss
When returning to limited duty at reduced hours or reduced pay

How Much Does OWCP Pay?

· 66 2/3% of your gross weekly pay if you have no dependents
· 75% of your gross weekly pay if you have at least one dependent
· Compensation is generally tax-free at the federal level

Medical Evidence You Must Attach

A CA-7 without supporting medical evidence is the #1 reason payments get delayed. With every CA-7, your treating physician should provide:

A current CA-20 Attending Physician's Report (narrative)
A CA-17 Duty Status Report covering the period claimed
Office notes showing continued treatment for the accepted condition
Clear causation language tying disability to the work injury

How to Submit the CA-7

The CA-7 is submitted to your federal employer first. The employing agency completes its portion (Side B), then forwards it to OWCP — typically through ECOMP, the online OWCP filing system. You should keep a stamped copy for your records, and you can track the claim's status in your own ECOMP account.

Most Common CA-7 Mistakes

Filing without a CA-20

OWCP will not pay wage loss without current medical evidence of disability.

Wrong dates

Claim only the calendar days you actually missed — overlapping with COP or paid leave causes denials.

Not electing leave buy-back

If you used sick or annual leave, you can elect on the CA-7 to buy that leave back with OWCP compensation.

Sitting on it

Delays in filing mean delays in payment. There is no benefit to waiting.

Getting paid starts with the right medical evidence.

Our DOL credentialed providers complete CA-20 reports and CA-17 duty status forms for every CA-7 filing. Free OWCP claims assistance — call Restore Muscle and Joint Denver.

Call (303) 854-6919