# 20 CFR § 10.510: When may a light duty job form the basis of a loss of wage-earning capacity determination?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-20-10.510

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 CFR § 10.510
- **Heading:** When may a light duty job form the basis of a loss of wage-earning capacity determination?
- **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 > Return to Work—Employer's Responsibilities

## Text

A light-duty position that fairly and reasonably represents an employee's ability to earn wages may form the basis of a loss of wage-earning capacity determination if that light duty position is a classified position to which the injured employee has been formally reassigned. The position must conform to the established physical limitations of the injured employee; the employer must have a written position description outlining the duties and physical requirements; and the position must correlate to the type of appointment held by the injured employee at the time of injury. If these circumstances are present, a determination may be made that the position constitutes “regular” Federal employment. In the absence of a “light-duty position” as described in this paragraph, OWCP will assume that the employee was instead engaged in non-competitive, makeshift or odd lot employment which does not represent the employee's wage-earning capacity, i.e., work of the type provided to injured employees who cannot otherwise be employed by the Federal Government or in any well-known branch of the general labor market.

## 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-20-10.510. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.