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Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated March 17, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits. [...] This report also focuses on several key policy issues facing the program, including the disproportionate share of claims and program costs attributed to postal workers, the payment of FECA benefits after retirement age, the overall level of FECA disability benefits as compared with those offered by the states, the administration of the FECA program, the costs associated with prescriptions for compounded medications, and efforts to limit the use of opioids by FECA beneficiaries. In 2020, DOL issued guidance establishing special procedures for federal employees with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to determine if their exposure was related to their employment, and thus compensable under FECA. Section 4016 of P.L. [Public Law] 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, created a presumption of eligibility for FECA benefits for federal employees with COVID-19."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-03-17
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated March 11, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Claimants dissatisfied with denials of benefits may pursue administrative appeals within DOJ and may seek judicial review before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-03-11
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Comparison of the Current World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the World Trade Center Health Program Proposed by Title I of H.R. 847 [September 2, 2010]
"In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York City, Congress passed appropriations to provide limited health screening and treatment services to persons involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations around the former site of the World Trade Center. This program, now known as the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program (MMTP), is not authorized in statute but rather relies on discretionary appropriations to provide services to eligible individuals. Since its inception in FY2002, the MMTP has received approximately $475 million in federal funds, and over 57,000 responders and community members have met initial eligibility requirements for the program. Title I of H.R. 847 would eliminate the current MMTP and replace it with a program authorized in statute and financed through mandatory federal spending, partially matched by New York City. This program, proposed to be called the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), would provide full medical screening and treatment benefits to eligible WTC responders and community members. In addition, Title I of H.R. 847 would establish formal eligibility requirements based on a person's activities after September 11, 2001, and his or her current health conditions. Health benefits would be provided by a national network of providers, and the program would be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Szymendera, Scott
2010-09-02
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [Updated March 10, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal workers' compensation program that covers certain private-sector maritime workers. Firms that employ these workers are required to purchase workers' compensation or self-insure and are responsible for providing medical and disability benefits to covered workers who are injured or become ill on the job and survivors' benefits to the families of covered workers who die on the job. The LHWCA is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), and all benefit costs are paid by employers and their insurance carriers. In 2017, more than $2 billion in LHWCA benefits were paid to beneficiaries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [Updated May 14, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) requires that private-sector firms provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees engaged in longshore, harbor, or other maritime occupations on or adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States. Although the LHWCA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), most benefits are paid either through private insurers or self-insured firms. The LHWCA is a workers' compensation system and not a federal benefits program. Like other workers' compensation systems in the United States, the LHWCA ensures that all covered workers are provided medical and disability benefits in the event they are injured or become ill in the course of their employment, and it provides benefits to the survivors of covered workers who die on the job. In 2017, the LHWCA paid approximately $2.06 billion in cash and medical benefits to injured workers and the families of deceased workers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2020-05-14
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [January 5, 2018]
From the Document: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal workers' compensation program that covers certain private-sector maritime workers. Firms that employ these workers are required to purchase workers' compensation or self-insure and are responsible for providing medical and disability benefits to covered workers who are injured or become ill on the job and survivors benefits to the families of covered workers who die on the job. The LHWCA is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), and all benefit costs are paid by employers and their insurance carriers. In 2015, more than $1.4 billion in LHWCA benefits were paid to beneficiaries. Congress has extended the LHWCA provisions to cover workers outside of the maritime industry, such as overseas government contractors and civilian employees of military post exchanges. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), persons who repair recreational vessels of any size were added to the LHWCA exemption list. In 2011, the DOL implemented this provision; since then, those regulations have proven controversial and numerous bills have been introduced to modify the regulatory definition to increase the number of workers exempted from the LHWCA. The LHWCA pays for all medical care associated with a covered injury or illness. Disability benefits are based on a worker's pre-injury wage, and, unlike comparable state workers' compensation benefits, are adjusted annually to reflect national wage growth."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2018-01-05
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Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA): Overview of Workers' Compensation for Certain Private-Sector Maritime Workers [Updated January 23, 2019]
From the Document: "The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal workers' compensation program that covers certain private-sector maritime workers. Firms that employ these workers are required to purchase workers' compensation or self-insure and are responsible for providing medical and disability benefits to covered workers who are injured or become ill on the job and survivors benefits to the families of covered workers who die on the job. The LHWCA is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL), and all benefit costs are paid by employers and their insurance carriers. In 2016, more than $1.4 billion in LHWCA benefits were paid to beneficiaries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-01-23
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Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Workers' Compensation for Federal Employees [Updated March 10, 2021]
From the Summary: "The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) is the workers' compensation program for federal employees. Like all workers' compensation programs, FECA pays disability, survivors, and medical benefits, without regard to who was at fault, to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of their federal employment and to the survivors of employees killed on the job. The FECA program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the costs of benefits are paid by each employee's host agency. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees currently comprise the largest group of FECA beneficiaries and are responsible for the largest share of FECA benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2021-03-10
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COVID-19: Social Insurance and Other Income-Support Options for Those Unable to Work [Updated March 12, 2020]
From the Overview: "There is uncertainty about how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread in the United States; what measures federal, state, or local governments may take to mitigate the spread; and the possible effect on individual income security from both. This In Focus provides an overview of existing federal and state government social insurance programs or options that may be implemented relatively quickly to provide financial assistance for those unable to work due to COVID-19 from (1) their own illness; (2) exposure leading to quarantine; (3) illness of a close family member or school closures that may require long-term caregiving; or (4) unemployment resulting from business closures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haltzel, Laura; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Morton, William R. . . .
2020-03-12
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COVID-19: Social Insurance and Other Income-Support Options for Those Unable to Work [March 6, 2020]
From the Overview: "There is uncertainty about how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread in the United States; what measures federal, state, or local governments may take to mitigate the spread; and the possible effect on individual income security from both. This product provides an overview of existing federal and state government social insurance programs or options that may be implemented relatively quickly to provide financial assistance for those unable to work due to COVID-19 from (1) their own illness; (2) exposure leading to quarantine; (3) illness of a close family member or school closures that may require long-term caregiving; or (4) unemployment resulting from business closures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haltzel, Laura; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Morton, William R. . . .
2020-03-06
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COVID-19: Social Insurance and Other Income-Support Options for Those Unable to Work [Updated March 17, 2020]
From the Overview: "There is uncertainty about how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread in the United States; what measures federal, state, or local governments may take to mitigate the spread; and the possible effect on individual income security from both. This In Focus provides an overview of existing federal and state government social insurance programs or options that may be implemented relatively quickly to provide financial assistance for those unable to work due to COVID-19 from (1) their own illness; (2) exposure leading to quarantine; (3) illness of a close family member or school closures that may require long-term caregiving; or (4) unemployment resulting from business closures."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Haltzel, Laura; Isaacs, Katelin P., 1980-; Morton, William R. . . .
2020-03-17
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September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) [October 17, 2019]
From the Document: "The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides cash benefits to certain persons whose health may have been affected by exposure to debris or toxic substances in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and the terrorist-related aircraft crash at Shanksville, PA. Congress created the original VCF shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks to provide compensation to persons injured and the families of persons killed in the attacks and their immediate aftermath. [...] All VCF claims must be filed by October 1, 2090. Since its reopening, the VCF has awarded more than $5.5 billion to more than 23,000 claimants. There is no cap on the total VCF award amount, but there are limits on the amounts of individual awards for economic and noneconomic losses claimants suffered. The 2019 reauthorization legislation provides all necessary appropriations for VCF awards and administrative expenses through the end of FY2092."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-10-17
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Veterans' Benefits: Pension Benefit Programs [September 9, 2015]
"This report discusses selected veteran pension programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): [1] The Improved Disability Pension makes payments to certain low-income veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $11,300 to about 310,000 beneficiaries. [2] The Improved Death Pension makes payments to certain low-income spouses or children of deceased veterans. In FY2013, the program paid an average benefit of about $7,000 to about 210,000 beneficiaries. [3] The Medal of Honor Pension makes payments to veterans who were awarded the Medal of Honor. Fewer than 100 veterans qualify for that pension. This report also discusses the eligibility criteria and current benefit levels of these programs and provides data on the number of pension beneficiaries and average annual benefit amounts for FY1999 through FY2013."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Davis, Carol D.; Szymendera, Scott
2015-09-09
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Who Is a 'Veteran'? - Basic Eligibility for Veteran's Benefits [August 19, 2015]
"The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a broad range of benefits to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and certain members of their families. Among these benefits are various types of financial assistance, including monthly cash payments to disabled veterans, health care, education, and housing. Basic criteria must be met to be eligible to receive any of the benefits administered by the VA. This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for VA administered veterans' benefits, including the issue of eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components. For a former service-member to receive certain VA benefits, the person must have active U.S. military service for a minimum period of time, generally the lesser of the full period ordered to active duty or 24 months, and be discharged 'under conditions other than dishonorable.' Some members of the National Guard and reserve components have difficulty meeting the active duty and length of service requirements. However, a member of the National Guard or reserve components who is activated for federal military service and meets the length of service requirement is considered a veteran for purposes of VA benefits. The Secretary of Defense may determine that service for the Armed Forces by a group of civilians or contractors will be considered active service, allowing members of those groups to be considered veterans for purposes of VA benefits. Such determinations, authorized by the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 […], have been made only for groups involved in World War I and World War II."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2015-08-19
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Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues [Updated September 6, 2019]
From the Summary: "Workers' compensation provides cash and medical benefits to workers who are injured or become ill in the course of their employment and provides cash benefits to the survivors of workers killed on the job. Benefits are provided without regard to fault and are the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Nearly all workers in the United States are covered by workers' compensation. With the exception of federal employees and some small groups of private-sector employees covered by federal law, workers compensation is provided by a network of state programs. In general, employers purchase insurance to provide for workers' compensation benefits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-09-06
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Workers' Compensation: Overview and Issues [Updated September 6, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Nearly all workers and employers in the United States are covered by workers' compensation. When a covered worker is injured, becomes sick, or dies as a result of his or her employment, that worker is entitled to full medical coverage for the injury, cash benefits to replace a portion of wages lost due to inability to work, and benefits for surviving family members in case of death. Employers are responsible for providing workers' compensation benefits to their workers and generally purchase insurance to cover these costs. The federal government has only a limited role in the provision of workers' compensation because most workers are covered by state law. Federal programs cover federal employees, coal workers with black lung disease, and longshore and harbor workers, overseas military and public works contractors, and former atomic weapons industry workers. Although every state has a workers' compensation system, there is no federal mandate that states have workers' compensation, no federal standards for state programs, and no oversight of state systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-09-06
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Who Is a 'Veteran'? Basic Eligibility for Veterans' Benefits [May 25, 2016]
From the summary: "The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a broad range of benefits to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and certain members of their families. Among these benefits are various types of financial assistance, including monthly cash payments to disabled veterans, health care, education, and housing. Basic criteria must be met to be eligible to receive any of the benefits administered by the VA. This report examines the basic eligibility criteria for VA administered veterans' benefits, including the issue of eligibility of members of the National Guard and reserve components. For a former servicemember to receive certain VA benefits, the person must have active U.S. military service for a minimum period of time, generally the lesser of the full period ordered to active duty or 24 months, and be discharged 'under conditions other than dishonorable.' Some members of the National Guard and reserve components have difficulty meeting the active duty and length of service requirements. However, a member of the National Guard or reserve components who is activated for federal military service and meets the length of service requirement is considered a veteran for purposes of VA benefits. The Secretary of Defense may determine that service for the Armed Forces by a group of civilians or contractors will be considered active service, allowing members of those groups to be considered veterans for purposes of VA benefits. Such determinations, authorized by the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-202), have been made only for groups involved in World War I and World War II."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2016-05-25
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Veterans' Benefits: Burial Benefits and National Cemeteries [March 11, 2016]
"Burial benefits are nonmonetary and monetary benefits that eligible veterans receive for their military service. Servicemembers and veterans have been provided nonmonetary burial benefits since the Civil War and monetary burial benefits since World War I.
Eligible veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces can be interred in national cemeteries and can receive government-furnished headstones or markers, and in their honor, next of kin can receive presidential memorial certificates and burial flags. Their spouses or surviving spouses, minor children, and, under certain conditions, unmarried adult children may also be buried in national cemeteries. [...] This report provides a descriptive analysis of both nonmonetary and monetary burial benefits and national cemeteries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2016-03-11
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September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF): Background and Potential Reauthorization [Updated July 15, 2019]
From the Summary: "The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides cash benefits to certain persons whose health may have been affected by exposure to debris or toxic substances in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, and the terrorist-related aircraft crash at Shanksville, PA. Congress created the original VCF shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks to provide compensation to persons injured and to the families of persons killed in the attacks and their immediate aftermath. In 2011, Congress reopened the VCF to provide benefits to persons who responded to the terrorist attack sites, were involved in the cleanup of these sites, or lived in lower Manhattan during the attacks. The VCF was reauthorized in 2015, and it is scheduled to sunset on December 18, 2020."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-07-15
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Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) and Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Programs [Updated February 1, 2019]
"The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers; firefighters; employees of emergency management agencies; and members of emergency medical services agencies who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Both programs are administered by the PSOB Office of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Szymendera, Scott
2019-02-01
