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The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) had its origins
in an organization established in 1916 to administer claims under the Federal
Employees’ Compensation Act. Benefits are available under this Act to more
than three million federal employees, members and the Peace Corp and Americorps
* Vista volunteers.
OWCP also administers the Longshore and Harbor Workers’
Compensation Act of 1927. This Act covers all maritime workers injured or
killed upon the navigable waters of the U.S., as well as employees working on
adjoining piers, docks and terminals, plus a number of other groups.
Compensation under this Act is paid by employers who are self-insured, or
through insurance policies provided by private insurers to employers.
The Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977 provides monthly payments
and medical treatment to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis
(black lung) arising from their employment in the nation’s coal mines, and
monthly payments to their surviving dependents.
The fourth and newest program under OWCP is the Division of Energy
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation which delivers benefits to eligible
employees and former employees of the Department of Energy, its contractors and
subcontractors or to certain survivors of such individuals, as provided in the
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The Division
also delivers benefits to certain beneficiaries of Section five of the
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
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