# 20 CFR § 10.500: What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.500

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 CFR § 10.500
- **Heading:** What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 20—Employees' Benefits > CHAPTER I—OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR > SUBCHAPTER B—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT > PART 10—CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT, AS AMENDED > Subpart F—Continuing Benefits > Rules and Evidence

## Text

(a) Benefits are available only while the effects of a work-related condition continue. Compensation for wage loss due to disability is available only for any periods during which an employee's work-related medical condition prevents him or her from earning the wages earned before the work-related injury. For example, an employee is not entitled to compensation for any wage-loss claimed on a CA-7 to the extent that evidence contemporaneous with the period claimed on a CA-7 establishes that an employee had medical work restrictions in place; that light duty within those work restrictions was available; and that the employee was previously notified in writing that such duty was available. Similarly, an employee receiving continuing periodic payments for disability was not prevented from earning the wages earned before the work-related injury if the evidence establishes that the employing agency had offered, in accordance with OWCP procedures, a temporary light duty assignment within the employee's work restrictions. (The penalty provision of 5 U.S.C. 8106(c)(2) will not be imposed on such assignments under this paragraph.)
(b) Each disabled employee is obligated to perform such work as he or she can. OWCP's goal is to return each disabled employee to work as soon as he or she is medically able. In determining what work qualifies under 5 U.S.C. 8115 for determining the wage-earning capacity for a particular disabled employee, OWCP considers all relevant factors, including the employee's current physical limitations, whether the work is available within the employee's demonstrated commuting area and the employee's qualifications to perform such work.
(c) A disabled employee who refuses to seek or accept suitable employment within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 8106(c)(2) is not entitled to compensation.
(d) Payment of medical benefits is available for all treatment necessary due to a work-related medical condition.

## Nearby sections

- [20 CFR § 10.500 § 10.500 What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.500.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.501 § 10.501 What medical evidence is necessary to support continuing receipt of compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.501.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.502 § 10.502 How does OWCP evaluate evidence in support of continuing receipt of compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.502.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.503 § 10.503 Under what circumstances may OWCP reduce or terminate compensation benefits?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.503.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.505 § 10.505 What actions must the employer take?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.505.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.506 § 10.506 May the employer monitor the employee's medical care?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.506.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.507 § 10.507 How should the employer make an offer of suitable work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.507.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.508 § 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/ecfr-20-10.508.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.509 § 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/ecfr-20-10.509.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.510 § 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/ecfr-20-10.510.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.511 § 10.511 How may a loss of wage-earning capacity determination be modified?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.511.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.515 § 10.515 What actions must the employee take with respect to returning to work?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.515.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.516 § 10.516 How will an employee know if OWCP considers a job to be suitable?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.516.md)
- [20 CFR § 10.517 § 10.517 What are the penalties for refusing to accept a suitable job offer?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.517.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.500. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.