Labor Department Tinkers With Benefits Form Questions
Published Date: 5/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor wants to update how it collects info about earnings, benefits, dependents, and third-party settlements to make things easier and less paperwork-heavy. This affects workers who get compensation benefits and anyone involved in related claims. They’re asking for your thoughts by July 17, 2026, so jump in and help shape the process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual CA-1032 Reporting & Suspension Risk
If you are on the Federal Employees' Compensation Act periodic disability roll, OWCP sends Form CA-1032 each year asking about your earnings, dependents, third-party settlements, and other Federal benefits. OWCP reports 42,219 respondents, 14,059 annual burden hours, and $24,179 in annual respondent costs; if you fail to file the required report within 30 days of the request your wage-loss compensation under 5 U.S.C. 8105 or 8106 is suspended until OWCP receives the report (retroactive reinstatement may occur if still entitled).
Dependents Raise Your Rate to 75%
Under FECA, compensation is payable at the augmented rate of 75 percent only if the claimant has one or more dependents as defined by the law (5 U.S.C. 8110). Having one or more dependents can therefore increase the weekly benefit rate you receive.
Other Federal Benefits May Reduce Your Payment
Compensation may not be paid concurrently with certain benefits from other Federal agencies (for example, the Office of Personnel Management, Social Security, and the Veterans Administration under 5 U.S.C. 8116), and OWCP may reduce payments when overlap occurs. If you receive benefits from those agencies, your OWCP compensation could be reduced.
Fraud or Incarceration Forfeits Benefits
An individual convicted of fraud related to compensation forfeits entitlement to benefits as of the date of conviction for any injury occurring on or before that date (5 U.S.C. 8148(a)); no Federal compensation benefit can be paid for any period during which the individual is incarcerated for a felony conviction (5 U.S.C. 8148(b)(1)).
Work Earnings Can Reduce Compensation
Compensation must be adjusted to reflect a claimant's earnings while receiving benefits (5 U.S.C. 8106), so any wages or work you earn while on the compensation roll can reduce your federal benefit payments. OWCP also requires an affidavit about any work/activity in the prior 15 months under 20 CFR 10.528.
Third-Party Settlements Lower Your Benefits
If you receive a settlement from a third party responsible for your injury, OWCP must adjust your compensation to reflect that settlement (5 U.S.C. 8132). Receiving a third-party recovery therefore reduces the federal compensation paid for the same injury.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10456 — Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-12757 — Proposed Revision of a Previously Approved Information Collection; Claim for Medical Reimbursement (OWCP-915 Part A), Medication Reimbursement Request (OWCP-915 Part B).
The Department of Labor wants your thoughts on updating forms used to claim medical and medication reimbursements for workers’ compensation. These changes aim to make the forms easier to understand and reduce the time and hassle it takes to fill them out. If you’re involved in workers’ compensation claims, now’s the time to speak up before August 24, 2026!
2026-12644 — Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: Quality Standards for Hearing Loss Testing
The Department of Labor wants to update how hearing loss is tested for Longshore and Harbor workers who file claims. They’re asking for public input on new, high-tech hearing tests that might be better than the old audiograms. If you have ideas, send them in by October 22, 2026—this could change how hearing loss claims are handled and improve fairness and accuracy.
2026-12053 — Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Medical Travel Refund Request-Mileage (OWCP-957A), Medical Travel Refund Request-Expenses (OWCP-957B)
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info from workers who ask for travel refunds for medical visits. They’re checking to make sure the forms for mileage and other expenses are easy to use and don’t waste your time or money. If you have thoughts, speak up by August 17, 2026, so they can keep things running smoothly for everyone who needs these refunds.
2026-11554 — Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Comment Request; Administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about workers' compensation for longshore and harbor workers. This means folks involved in these jobs will keep sharing important details, but the government promises to keep paperwork easy and clear. You’ve got until August 10, 2026, to share your thoughts—no extra costs or big changes, just a smooth extension!
2026-11496 — Proposed Extension of a Currently Approved Collection: Certification of Funeral Expenses Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about funeral expenses for workers covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. This helps make sure families get the right benefits when a worker passes away. They’re asking for public comments by August 10, 2026, to keep this paperwork going smoothly without extra hassle.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09834 — Streamlined Negotiated Service Agreement Review and New Postal Product
The Postal Service wants to add a new speedy shipping option called Global Expedited Package Services--Non-Published Rates 18 to its competitive product list. This change aims to simplify how these special deals are reviewed and approved, making things faster and smoother. If you have thoughts, you need to share them by May 19, 2026, so don’t miss out!
Next: 2026-09836 — Notice of Public Meetings of the New Jersey Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The New Jersey Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding three virtual public meetings to discuss antisemitism and civil rights. Anyone interested can join for free via Zoom, share their thoughts, and learn more about this important topic. These meetings happen between May 27 and June 25, 2026, with no cost to attend, just your time and voice!