CFR > Title 20 - Employees' Benefits > CHAPTER I—OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR > SUBCHAPTER B—FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT (parts 10 to 25) > PART 10—CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT, AS AMENDED > SUBPART F—Continuing Benefits (§10.500 to §10.541) > 10.500—What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?

10.500—What are the basic rules governing continuing receipt of compensation benefits and return to work?

(a) Benefits are available only while the effects of a work-related condition continue. Compensation for wage loss due to disability is available only for any periods during which an employee's work-related medical condition prevents him or her from earning the wages earned before the work-related injury. Payment of medical benefits is available for all treatment necessary due to a work-related medical condition.
(b) Each disabled employee is obligated to perform such work as he or she can, and OWCP's goal is to return each disabled employee to suitable work as soon as he or she is medically able. In determining what constitutes “suitable work” for a particular disabled employee, OWCP considers the employee's current physical limitations, whether the work is available within the employee's demonstrated commuting area, the employee's qualifications to perform such work, and other relevant factors. (See § 10.508 with respect to the payment of relocation expenses.)