OWCP is a program that is meant to bridge the gap between your injury and your return to work. Therefore, except in special circumstances such as the occurrence of a permanent injury, loss of limb or a chronic illness, the FECA program does its best to ensure you receive comprehensive treatment so you can resume working. Vocational rehabilitation is a process by which injured federal workers are provided with specialized training and advise meant to reintegrate them into federal employment with their original employer or find them a position that is in line with their injuries.

Light Duty or Modified Work is a component of federal workers’ compensation where you, the injured federal worker, are offered assignments or work duties that do not put strain on your injuries or illness so that you can continue working or earn a living wage, as stipulated by  5 U.S.C. § 8106(c). legally, your employer is required to work intimately with OWCP to ensure that this happens seamlessly, and your employer is legally required to make reasonable accommodations to make this happen, such as buying, for instance, an ergonomic desk and chair, installation of wheelchair ramps where possible, situating you in an area that is quiet and low stress if you were diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety or depression, as well as relieving you from package carrying duties if you are an USPS worker that suffered a spinal injury and instead relegating you to inventory tracking in an office. However, none of this is obligated by the employer until your workers’ compensation case is accepted by OWCP.