OWCP Case for COVID
Following national trends, there has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases at the Postal Service.
As a result of federal law and our strong union contract, it is your right to apply for worker’s compensation benefits to protect yourself and your family in the event you contract COVID-19.
If you are a postal employee, no matter if you are a career employee or non-career employee, you are entitled to file a claim with the Office of Workers Compensation Programs.
In order for your claim to be successful, you must have worked at the Post Office at some point during the 21-days prior to your COVID-19 diagnosis, and are required to complete an approved form of COVID-19 testing to prove you are sick.
Employees that have claims approved are entitled to have their medical costs and lost wages paid. Approved Claimants are also entitled to request that any annual sick or annual leave used be “bought back” and redeposited to their leave balances. Also, should a postal employee pass away due to COVID- 19, their survivors are entitled to benefits under the compensation programs if there is an approved claim.
Remember, we never know how COVID-19 will affect any one person. While some experience only mild symptoms and recover quickly, others develop long term illness which requires ongoing and expensive treatments.
Thank you for all that you do.
In solidarity,
The American Postal Workers Union
The American Postal Workers Union