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 Printer-Friendly Version
August 5, 2003
Notice No. 113
NOTICE TO INSURANCE CARRIERS AND SELF-INSURED EMPLOYERS UNDER THE
LONGSHORE AND HARBOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT, AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS
SUBJECT: Changes to Vocational Rehabilitation Services provided
under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
In the past, vocational rehabilitation services provided by the OWCP
under § 39 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
terminated upon settlement of the claim. This policy was based on the statutory
provision in § 39(c)(1) of the Act that "[t]he Secretary shall also
provide employees receiving compensation information on medical, manpower, and
vocational rehabilitation services". This language had been interpreted as
limiting such services to injured employees in compensation status. This policy
often left permanently disabled workers without the skills or the
rehabilitative services needed to return to gainful employment.
This policy is now changed so that permanently disabled workers who
are not currently in pay status, or who have settled their compensation claims,
may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under the Act. Section
39(c)(2) of the Act provides that "[t]he Secretary shall direct the vocational
rehabilitation of permanently disabled employees and shall arrange with
the appropriate public or private agencies ... for such rehabilitation."
(Emphasis added). Therefore, settling the claim and leaving benefit status
should not necessarily end a permanently disabled worker's eligibility for
vocational rehabilitation services, as long as he or she remains permanently
disabled from the work injury and requires these services to restore
employability.
Effective immediately, permanently disabled workers who settle their
Longshore claims may continue to receive rehabilitation services after
settlement. If there is an approved rehabilitation plan already in effect,
services covered under the plan may continue until completion or until case
closure by the OWCP Rehabilitation Specialist. At the discretion of the
district director, new rehabilitation services may be initiated after
settlement of the claim, if the services are reasonable and necessary to assist
a permanently disabled worker to return to the workforce in a suitable job.
Questions concerning this change in vocational rehabilitation policy
should be directed to Miranda Chiu, Branch Chief, Operational Policies,
Regulations, and Procedures, Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation, at
Employment Standards Administration
OWCP/ Division
of Longshore and
Harbor Workers' Compensation
200 Constitution Ave, NW,
Rm C-4315
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 693-0038
Micheal Niss
Director, Division of
Longshore and
Harbor
Workers' Compensation
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