# 20 C.F.R. § 10.703 (2026): How are fee applications approved? > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_703 ## Section - **Citation:** 20 C.F.R. § 10.703 (2026) - **Heading:** How are fee applications approved? - **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 H: Special Provisions / § 10.703: § 10.703 How are fee applications approved? ## Text (a) Fee application. The representative must submit the fee application to OWCP for services rendered before OWCP. (Representative services before ECAB must be approved by ECAB under 20 CFR part 501.) The application submitted to OWCP shall contain the following: (1) An itemized statement showing the representative's hourly rate, the number of hours worked and specifically identifying the work performed and a total amount charged for the representation (excluding administrative costs). (2) A statement of agreement or disagreement with the amount charged, signed by the claimant. The statement must also acknowledge that the claimant is aware that he or she must pay the fees and that OWCP is not responsible for paying the fee or other costs. (b) Approval where there is no dispute. Where a fee application that describes the services rendered in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section is accompanied by a signed statement indicating the claimant's agreement with the fee as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the application is deemed approved except that no contingency fee arrangement may be considered deemed approved through this process. (c) Disputed requests. (1) Where the claimant disagrees with the amount of the fee, as indicated in the statement accompanying the submittal, OWCP will evaluate the objection and decide whether or not to approve the request. OWCP will provide a copy of the request to the claimant and ask him or her to submit any further information in support of the objection within 15 days from the date the request is forwarded. After that period has passed, OWCP will evaluate the information received to determine whether the amount of the fee is substantially in excess of the value of services received by looking at the following factors: ill provide a copy of the request to the claimant and ask him or her to submit any further information in support of the objection within 15 days from the date the request is forwarded. After that period has passed, OWCP will evaluate the information received to determine whether the amount of the fee is substantially in excess of the value of services received by looking at the following factors: (i) Usefulness of the representative's services; (ii) The nature and complexity of the claim; (iii) The actual time spent on development and presentation of the claim; and (iv) Customary local charges for services for a representative of similar background and experience. (2) Where the claimant disputes the representative's request and files an objection with OWCP, an appealable decision will be issued. ## Nearby sections - [20 C.F.R. § 10.700 (2026) § 10.700 May a claimant designate a representative?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_700.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.701 (2026) § 10.701 Who may serve as a representative?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_701.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.702 (2026) § 10.702 How are fees for services paid?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_702.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.703 (2026) § 10.703 How are fee applications approved?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_703.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.704 (2026) § 10.704 What penalties apply to representatives who collect a fee without approval?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_704.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.705 (2026) § 10.705 When must an employee or other FECA beneficiary take action against a third party?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_705.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.706 (2026) § 10.706 How will a beneficiary know if OWCP or SOL has determined that action against a third party is required?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_706.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.707 (2026) § 10.707 What must a FECA beneficiary who is required to take action against a third party do to satisfy the requirement that the claim be “prosecuted”?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_707.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.708 (2026) § 10.708 Can a FECA beneficiary who refuses to comply with a request to assign a claim to the United States or to prosecute the claim in his or her own name be penalized?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_708.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.709 (2026) § 10.709 What happens if a beneficiary directed by OWCP or SOL to take action against a third party does not believe that a claim can be successfully prosecuted at a reasonable cost?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_709.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.710 (2026) § 10.710 Under what circumstances must a recovery of money or other property in connection with an injury or death for which benefits are payable under the FECA be reported to OWCP or SOL?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_710.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.711 (2026) § 10.711 How is the amount of the recovery of the FECA beneficiary determined?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_711.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.712 (2026) § 10.712 How much of any settlement or judgment must be paid to the United States?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_712.md) - [20 C.F.R. § 10.713 (2026) § 10.713 How is a structured settlement (that is, a settlement providing for receipt of funds over a specified period of time) treated for purposes of reporting the gross recovery?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_713.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T20_P10_S10_703. 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