OWCP Denied My Back Pay or Time Off. What Can I Do?
A denial of back pay or time-off compensation can feel overwhelming — especially when bills are piling up and you’re already dealing with an injury. The good news is that most denials happen for a specific, fixable reason.
Why OWCP usually denies back pay
In many cases, OWCP doesn’t deny payment because you’re not entitled to it. They deny it because they don’t understand why you were unable to work, or they don’t know the exact period you’re requesting payment for.
That’s why Shapiro Federal approaches these cases from an evidence-first perspective.
The most important piece of evidence
The single most important document is your doctor’s certification. OWCP needs a medical report that clearly:
certifies the period of disability, and
explains why you were unable to work as it relates to your federal injury.
Without that explanation, OWCP can’t approve payment — even if the injury itself is accepted.
What steps usually fix the problem
Get a proper doctor’s certification that clearly defines the disability period and connects it to your injury.
File the correct form for that specific period, usually a CA-7.
From there, the details matter. In some situations, a CA-7A may be the correct form instead, depending on the type of disability and how the time off occurred.
Why this gets complicated
OWCP has very specific requirements for certifying disability periods. Small mistakes — unclear dates, vague language, or the wrong form — can trigger denials. That’s why many people struggle to resolve these issues on their own.
The bottom line
A denial doesn’t mean you’re out of options. It usually means OWCP needs clearer evidence. When done correctly, back pay and time-off compensation can often be recovered — and getting it right matters, especially when income has already been interrupted.
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.