# 20 C.F.R. § 10.509 (2026): If an employee's light duty job is eliminated due to downsizing, what is the effect on compensation?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_509

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 C.F.R. § 10.509 (2026)
- **Heading:** If an employee's light duty job is eliminated due to downsizing, what is the effect on compensation?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 20 CFR: Employees' Benefits / Chapter I: OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR / Part 10: CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT, AS AMENDED / Subpart F: Continuing Benefits / § 10.509: § 10.509   If an employee's light duty job is eliminated due to downsizing, what is the effect on compensation?

## Text

In general, an employee will not be considered to have experienced a compensable recurrence of disability as defined in § 10.5(x) merely because his or her employer has eliminated the employee's light-duty position in a reduction-in-force or some other form of downsizing. When this occurs, OWCP will determine the employee's wage-earning capacity based on his or her actual earnings in such light-duty position if this determination is appropriate on the basis that such earnings fairly and reasonably represent the employee's wage-earning capacity and such a determination has not already been made and the employing agency has stated, in writing, that no other employment is available.

## Nearby sections

- [20 C.F.R. § 10.500 (2026) § 10.500   What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_500.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.501 (2026) § 10.501   What medical evidence is necessary to support continuing receipt of compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_501.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.502 (2026) § 10.502   How does OWCP evaluate evidence in support of continuing receipt of compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_502.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.503 (2026) § 10.503   Under what circumstances may OWCP reduce or terminate compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_503.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.505 (2026) § 10.505   What actions must the employer take?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_505.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.506 (2026) § 10.506   May the employer monitor the employee's medical care?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_506.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.507 (2026) § 10.507   How should the employer make an offer of suitable work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_507.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.508 (2026) § 10.508   May relocation expenses be paid for an employee who would need to move to accept an offer of reemployment?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_508.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.509 (2026) § 10.509   If an employee's light duty job is eliminated due to downsizing, what is the effect on compensation?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_509.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.510 (2026) § 10.510   When may a light duty job form the basis of a loss of wage-earning capacity determination?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_510.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.511 (2026) § 10.511   How may a loss of wage-earning capacity determination be modified?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_511.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.515 (2026) § 10.515   What actions must the employee take with respect to returning to work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_515.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.516 (2026) § 10.516   How will an employee know if OWCP considers a job to be suitable?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_516.md)
- [20 C.F.R. § 10.517 (2026) § 10.517   What are the penalties for refusing to accept a suitable job offer?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_517.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_509. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.