How the Federal Shutdown Impacts OWCP Claims and Injured Federal Workers

Summary: AFGE’s National Council of Field Labor Locals reports severe furlough levels across the Department of Labor. This reduces enforcement, oversight, and support functions. OWCP continues to operate in excepted status, but processing can slow. Below is what this means for injured federal workers and how our clinic supports you during this period.

Key points from the AFGE statement

• More than three quarters of the Department of Labor’s workforce is furloughed. Only essential functions continue.
• Enforcement work by divisions such as WHD, OSHA, MSHA, EBSA, and SOL is limited or paused.
• OWCP staff continue work in excepted status to process injury and illness claims for federal workers. Delays are still possible.
• Hearings at OALJ are halted, which can delay appeals.

Why it matters: Even when OWCP remains open for excepted duties, fewer available staff and paused support functions increase turnaround times for routine claims and authorizations.

What this means for your OWCP claim

1. Expect slower decisions and authorizations. Timelines for CA-1, CA-2, and medical authorizations can extend.
2. Your documentation quality is critical. Clear mechanism of injury, detailed job duties, medical rationale, and imaging reduce avoidable back-and-forth.
3. Appeals may take longer. If your case needs an administrative hearing, scheduling resumes after operations are restored.
4. Benefits continuity. Excepted operations continue, but plan for temporary reimbursement lag.

How Restore Muscle & Joint helps during a shutdown

• OWCP documentation support. We prepare precise narratives, job exposure detail, and causal medical rationale that align with FECA requirements.
• Proactive claim coordination. We help you track submissions, request status updates, and keep your paperwork complete and organized.
• Care continuity. We guide you on which visits or procedures are appropriate to proceed with now, and which should wait for authorization.
• Patient communications. We provide clear expectations on timelines and next steps to reduce uncertainty and stress.

Action checklist for injured federal workers

• Submit claims and medical evidence promptly. Keep copies of everything.
• Ask your supervisor to confirm receipt of agency-side forms.
• If a deadline is approaching, notify us so we can prioritize required medical documentation.
• If you receive a development letter, contact us immediately to prepare the response.

Frequently asked questions

Are OWCP claims still processed during a shutdown?

Yes. OWCP continues excepted operations. Routine processing may be slower due to staffing limits.

Should I delay care?

No, not for urgent issues. For elective or higher-cost procedures, we will confirm authorization or discuss timing based on your claim status.

What can I do to prevent delays?

Provide detailed job duties, mechanism of injury, clear symptom timelines, and bring prior imaging. Complete all requested forms and respond quickly to development letters.

Further reading for credibility and SEO

• AFGE updates on federal workforce impacts
• U.S. Department of Labor official site
• OWCP Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation