Continuation of Pay (COP): How Federal Employees Keep Their Salary After a Work Injury
If you're hurt on the job as a federal employee and can't work, the first question is usually about money. Continuation of pay, or COP, is the answer for the first weeks after a traumatic injury.
COP is your regular salary, paid by your agency for up to 45 calendar days while you're disabled by the injury. It isn't taken from your sick or annual leave.
Who qualifies for COP
- The injury is traumatic: it happened during a single workday or shift, like a fall, lifting injury or vehicle accident.
- You report it on Form CA-1 within 30 days of the injury.
- You file for COP on that CA-1 and give medical evidence of your disability.
Occupational diseases don't qualify
Conditions that develop over time, like carpal tunnel or a back condition from repeated lifting, are reported on Form CA-2 and aren't eligible for COP. Those claims go straight to OWCP compensation if you lose time from work.
The 30-day rule is strict
If you file the CA-1 more than 30 days after the injury, you lose the right to COP, even if the claim itself is later accepted. You can still receive compensation from OWCP, but it is usually slower and starts with a waiting period.
Report every work injury to your supervisor right away and file the CA-1 promptly, even if you think the injury is minor.
Medical evidence your agency needs
Your agency can stop COP if it doesn't receive medical evidence that you're disabled by the injury. In general, you should provide it within 10 workdays after you claim COP.
A duty status report on Form CA-17 or a narrative from your treating physician that describes the injury, your diagnosis and your work limits usually covers this.
When COP ends
COP stops when you return to full duty, when your physician releases you to light duty your agency can accommodate, or when the 45 days run out. If you're still disabled after 45 days, you file Form CA-7 to claim wage-loss compensation from OWCP.
File the CA-7 a little before COP ends so there is less of a gap between your last paycheck and your first compensation payment.
How Injury Federal Clinic helps
We see federal employees quickly after an injury, complete the duty status reports and medical narratives your agency and OWCP need, and our claims team helps you keep track of deadlines like the 30-day CA-1 rule.
Talk to our team
Injury Federal Clinic is a Medical Provider for the U.S. Department of Labor in Jacksonville, open weekdays and Saturday mornings.
This article is general information, not legal advice. OWCP and your claims examiner make all coverage decisions, and deadlines can depend on your case; check your decision letters and the U.S. Department of Labor website.
