When Do I File a CA-7 After Continuation of Pay?

A CA-7 is used to claim qualifying wage-loss compensation from OWCP, including for a period after applicable continuation of pay has ended. COP does not automatically turn into OWCP compensation. You need to identify the period claimed and provide the medical support required for that period.

What Is the Difference Between COP and a CA-7 Claim?

COP is regular pay from the employing agency for an eligible traumatic injury. A CA-7 asks OWCP to consider compensation for qualifying wage loss. The end of agency pay does not, by itself, establish that every later absence is payable by OWCP.

The medical evidence needs to explain why the accepted condition prevented you from working during the dates claimed.

Should I Wait Until My Pay Stops to Get Organized?

Start checking the paperwork and medical documentation before COP is exhausted. Confirm with your agency which dates have been paid, which dates involve leave without pay, and how your compensation claim should be submitted. This preparation helps identify missing information before it becomes a payment problem.

OWCP's claims FAQ explains that the agency completes its portion of the CA-7 and forwards the claim and medical documentation for review. OWCP then determines whether the evidence supports payment or more information is needed.

What If My Agency Stops COP Early?

First establish why the agency stopped paying and which dates are affected. The issue may concern COP eligibility, an agency payment dispute, or a separate period of compensable disability. A CA-7 can present a request for compensation, but it is not an automatic remedy for every agency pay problem.

Keep the agency's explanation and the relevant medical and payroll records. Those documents help clarify which issue needs to be addressed.

What Should I Check Before Submitting?

Make sure the dates, leave status, and medical reports are consistent. If the absence is intermittent, additional time-detail documentation may be needed. A careful review of the actual period claimed is more useful than assuming that the same form guarantees the same result in every situation.

Every Schedule Award and compensation case is unique. The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) does not publish fixed timelines or guaranteed outcomes. Benefits depend on your medical evidence, impairment rating, and OWCP’s review process. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. For guidance on your specific claim, consult with an experienced federal workers’ compensation attorney.