May 2000

Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA)

All civilian employees (permanent or temporary) of the Federal government are covered by FECA, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Worker's Compensation Programs (OWCP).

Employees injured or killed while performing official duties are entitled to full medical expense coverage, including hospitalization. The Act further covers other expenses and one or more types of wage loss payments incurred by the employee as a result of the job-related injury. The Act also provides monthly benefit payments (calculated on employee's salary) to survivors when the death is causally related to employment.

The Act also further provides for transportation of a deceased employee's body to the place of burial, plus burial expenses up to $1,000. Even if an employee is covered by current health care plans when injured/killed, OWCP takes over when the injury/death occurs.

Burial Costs and Related Out-Of-Pocket Expenses

Section 312 of Public Law 103-332, a statutory note to 5 U.S.C. 8134, provides for payments of up to $10,000 in reimbursement for burial costs and related out-of-pocket expenses for employees "killed in the line of duty."

Death Gratuity Payment Authority

In addition to the above authority, Public Law 104-208, Section 651, authorizes agencies to pay up to $10,000 as a death gratuity to the personal representative of civilian employees who dies from an injury sustained in the line of duty. This would also include employees who die after separation from service, if the death is the result of a job related injury. The total amount paid under the authorities of PL 103-332, 5 U.S.C. 8134 above, 5 U.S.C. 8133-8134 (FECA/OWCP) above, and the death gratuity payment, may not be more than $10,000. The death gratuity payment is not reduced by any other amounts.

Public Safety Officer's Benefits Act

This Act, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, applies to all law enforcement and fire personnel. It provides a one-time, tax-free benefit to eligible survivors of a public safety officer whose death is a direct result of traumatic injuries sustained in the line of duty. The amount of the payment, which adjusts each year, is $143,943 currently. Eligible survivors include children, spouses, or parents. The Act also provides the same dollar amount to a public safety officer who has been permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of catastrophic personal injury sustained during the performance of duty.

Other Benefits

USDA Forest Service employees are classified as "permanent," temporary," "term," or "indefinite." Temporary employees are those who are appointed for one year or less. Within each category, the tour of duty can be full time, part time, intermittent, seasonal, or mixed tour.

Retirement

Employees whose appointments are not limited to one year or less are covered by a retirement program. Temporary employees are covered by Social Security.

Health Insurance

Employees appointed for more than one year who are expected to work at least six months annually are eligible for health insurance with a government contribution of about 72 percent of the cost. Temporary employees whose appointments are renewed for more than one year without a break and who are expected to work more than six months annually become eligible for health insurance, but with no government contribution.

Health insurance continues for up to one year of non-pay status, although the charges to the employee and the government continue during non-pay status. When employment ends, health insurance may be retained for 18 months at the employee's expense and may be converted to a private policy.

Life Insurance

Coverage is available to employees appointed for more than one year who are expected to work more than six months annually. Temporary employees are not eligible. Basic coverage is the amount of the employee's salary, rounded up to the next $1,000, plus $2,000. Employees pay two-thirds of the cost and the government pays one-third. Additional optional coverages are available with no government contribution.

Life insurance coverage continues for up to one year of non-pay status at no cost.

For additional information on employee benefits
Contact your local personnel office

or for

Worker's Compensation/Burial Expenses/Death Gratuity Payments/Public Safety
Officers Benefits Act

Mary Morris, (703) 605-5200, ext. 3105

Retirement, Health, And Life Insurance/Appointments And Tours Of Duty

Helga Brown, (703) 605-5200, ext. 3042

[top of page]