Division of Federal Employees', and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC)
- How do I contact my Claims Examiner?
- Why can't I communicate with the OWCP by email?
- Why won't the OWCP staff talk to my spouse or my family about my claim?
- Is there a way to obtain updates from OWCP regarding the latest news and any significant changes pertaining to the Longshore Act, and its extensions?
- Where should I submit case file documents?
- Do I need to submit multiple copies of forms?
- If I don't use the SEAPortal, how should documents be submitted to the Central Mail Receipt site for the most efficient processing?
- Where do I submit checks?
- Can I send mail to the individual District Suboffices?
- Can I submit a disc with documents on it to include in the case file?
- Where do I submit photos and/or physical evidence?
- Can I contact the Central Mail Receipt site in Jacksonville to determine whether my document has been received and uploaded to the case file?
- What form(s) should be submitted to have a case created?
- Where do I get a Longshore form?
- Where do I send new reports of injury/deaths?
- How should documents be submitted to the Central Case Create site for the most efficient processing?
- Should I submit only the case create form by itself to the Central Case Create site? What if there are attachments?
- How are cases created and assigned to individual District Suboffices?
- How do I know which individual District Suboffice has jurisdiction of a case once it is created?
- Can I contact the Central Case Create site in New York City to check on the status of the creation of case?
- What happens to my OWCP case file if I move?
- How do I get a copy of my OWCP case file?
- How do I get a copy of someone else's OWCP case file?
- Who has the right to review my OWCP case file?
1. How do I contact my Claims Examiner?
You can call the OWCP Longshore program at 202-513-6809 and ask to speak with your Claims Examiner. More contact information can be found in the Contact Us section on our website. See FAQ 18 and 19 for more information on determining where a case is located.
You may also submit a written inquiry. See FAQ 5.
2. Why can't I communicate with the OWCP by email?
As a matter of policy, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) does not discuss or handle claims by e-mail. This is to protect your privacy. You should contact the OWCP Longshore program by telephone with specific claim-related questions. Alternatively, you can submit a written inquiry to your Claims Examiner. See FAQ 5.
3. Why won't the OWCP staff talk to my spouse or my family about my claim?
The Privacy Act prevents the OWCP from releasing any information regarding a claim without the signed written authorization of the injured employee, even if the person requesting information is a spouse or other relative. You can submit your signed authorization to your Claims Examiner. See FAQ 5.
Yes. You can sign up for e-mail updates. Please see the Subscribe to Email Updates link on our website.
5. Where should I submit case file documents?
If you already have an OWCP file number, you can use Longshore's Secure Electronic Access Portal (SEAPortal), located at https://seaportal.dol.gov
- The SEAPortal is a web-based application that allows any stakeholder with internet access to upload documents (in pdf or tif format) directly into a case file. Users do not need to register or enroll to use the SEAPortal. You simply need the OWCP case number and the injured worker's last name, date of birth and date of injury.
- The SEAPortal provides important advantages over other means of submitting documents to OWCP, such as same-day delivery to the appropriate case file and OWCP employee, and the elimination of costs associated with traditional delivery methods.
- SEAPortal submissions are delivered to the OWCP examiner within four (4) hours of your submission, and you have the ability to track the document using a tracking number that is generated by the website.
- If a document is submitted via the SEAPortal, please do not submit a hard copy of the document.
- To learn more about the SEAPortal, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the SEAPortal site.
Alternatively, case file documents can be sent to the following address: U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of Federal Employees', and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, 400 West Bay Street, Suite 63A, Box 28, Jacksonville, FL 32202. This is the address of our Jacksonville DFELHWC District Suboffice, which is designated as the Central Mail Receipt site for the entire program. This site scans all mail for all existing cases, regardless of the owning District Suboffice. The mail is then viewable electronically by the District Suboffice with jurisdiction for the case. See FAQ 7.
If an OWCP case number has not yet been assigned, the claim form (LS-201, LS-202, LS-203 or LS-262) should be uploaded to the SEAPortal case create page for same day submission of case create documents (limit 5 pages). See FAQ 15.
6. Do I need to submit multiple copies of forms?
No. Please submit only one copy of a document. There is no need to file more than one copy. Submit only a single LS-4, LS-5, LS-6, LS-7, LS-8, LS-9, LS-18, LS-203, LS-207, LS-208.
To facilitate efficient and timely processing of documents, please adhere to the following:
- Reference the OWCP case number on every page of the document.
- Use standard letter sized paper, (8 1/2 x 11), with no extending labels or tabs.
- If a document is smaller than standard sized paper, e.g. prescription receipts, change of address cards, etc., copy it on to or tape it to letter sized paper.
- Do not reference multiple injured workers' names and case numbers in a single document; such documents cannot be placed into the file without manual redaction of the other individuals' personally identifiable information (PII).
- Avoid the use of colored paper and colored ink.
- Complete all fields on forms and ensure forms are legible.
Note – Time sensitive documents such as conference requests, 8(i) settlements, 8(f) applications, etc. should be clearly labeled. Please label such requests in bold letters on the first page of the document.
All checks payable to the Department of Labor – DFELHWC should be sent to the DFELHWC Chief – Branch of Financial Management, Insurance and Assessments, Washington, DC. All checks must reference the injured workers' name and OWCP case number. If the check is in response to a letter from the District Suboffice, a transmittal letter explaining the purpose of the check should be included.
U. S. Department of Labor
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation
200 Constitution Avenue, Room S-3524
Washington, DC 20210
9. Can I send mail to the individual District Suboffices?
Case specific mail should not be sent to the individual District Suboffices. All mail should be submitted through the SEAPortal or sent to the Central Mail Receipt site in Jacksonville.
However, you can send non-case specific mail directly to the District Suboffice to the attention of the District Director. Examples include: jurisdictional inquiries, requests to visit an office, etc.
10. Can I submit a disc with documents on it to include in the case file?
No. Documents must be submitted either electronically through the SEAPortal or in paper form to the Central Mail Receipt site.
11. Where do I submit photos and/or physical evidence?
Photos and physical evidence can be submitted to the Central Mail Receipt site like other mail. They must contain the injured worker's name and case file number. Upon receipt, a placeholder will be scanned into the file to document receipt and the photos or physical evidence will be sent to the owning District Suboffice for review and storage.
No. The claims staff in the Jacksonville District Suboffice cannot provide you with information concerning a particular document.
13. What form(s) should be submitted to have a case created?
Any of the following forms (with the applicable attachments) may be submitted for the creation of a case:
LS-201 (Notice of Employee's Injury or Death)
LS-202 (Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness)
LS-203 (Employee's Claim for Compensation)
LS-262 (Claim for Death Benefits)
14. Where do I get a Longshore form?
Most Longshore forms can be found in the Forms section on our website.
Forms are also available at any Longshore District Suboffice. To request a form, or for additional information and assistance on how to complete the forms, contact the Longshore program. Contact information can be found in the Contact Us section on our website.
15. Where do I send new reports of injury/deaths?
If you do not have an OWCP file number and you are filing a new claim, the claim form LS-201, LS-202, LS-203 or LS-262) should be uploaded to the SEAPortal case create page for same day submission of case create documents (limit 5 pages). Alternatively, you can send to the Jacksonville DFELHWC District Suboffice at the below address, which is designated as the Central Case Create site for the entire program. This site creates cases for all new injuries, regardless of the location of injury or claimant's home address.
U. S. Department of Labor
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Division of Federal Employees', and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation (DFELHWC)
Charles E. Bennett Federal Building
400 West Bay Street, Room 63A, Box 28
Jacksonville, FL 32202
You may submit claim forms via fax to our case create designated fax number, 202-513-6814. Please note this fax number is strictly for new claims that have not been previously assigned a case number. When submitting a claim via fax, please adhere to the following guidelines:
a. Please submit each form individually. Please do not use a cover sheet.
b. Submit only one copy of the form.
c. Do not submit the same documents via SEAPortal, fax, and mail. Use only one method of transmission.
After the case is created, it is viewable electronically by the District Suboffice with jurisdiction for the case.
The preferred method of transmission is via SEAPortal. This is also the most expeditious and convenient method for stakeholders.
To file a new claim for injury only the following forms may be uploaded:
- LS-201 (Notice of Employee's Injury or Death)
- LS-202 (Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness)
- LS-203 (Employee's Claim for Compensation)
- LS-262 (Claim for Death Benefits)
Upload each new injury claim form for a specific injured worker individually.
This submission option is solely for claim forms for new cases and any applicable attachments available at the time the claim form is being submitted. Once a case number has been established all parties will be notified and then additional documents can be submitted directly into the case. The procedure for submission of case-related documents has not changed. Please refer to Industry Notice 148 for questions related to the SEAPortal.
To facilitate efficient and timely processing of documents, please adhere to the following:
- Use standard letter sized paper, (8 1/2 x 11), with no extending labels or tabs.
- If a document is smaller than standard sized paper, e.g. a prescription receipt, copy it on to or tape it to letter sized paper.
- Do not reference multiple injured workers' names in a single document; such documents cannot be placed into the file without manual redaction of the other individuals' personally identifiable information (PII).
- Avoid the use of colored paper and colored ink.
- Complete all fields on forms and ensure forms are legible.
Yes. If you have attachments to submit with the case create form, e.g. a Notice of Representation or medical evidence, you should wait to receive a case number and then submit additional documentation, with the case number, through the SEAPortal or to the Central Mail Receipt site.
18. How are cases created and assigned to District and individual Suboffices?
Cases will be assigned to one of three different District offices (Eastern, Southern, or Western) and then to individual suboffices.
DFELHWC District Offices are organized in the following manner:
- Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Norfolk, Virginia will be consolidated into the Eastern District.
Boston Suboffice #1
New York Suboffice #2
Philadelphia Suboffice #4
Norfolk Suboffice #5
- Jacksonville, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; and Chicago, Illinois will be consolidated into the Southern District.
Jacksonville Suboffice #6
New Orleans Suboffice #7
Houston Suboffice #8
Chicago Suboffice #10
- Long Beach, California; San Francisco, California; and Seattle, Washington will be consolidated into the Western District.
San Francisco Suboffice #13
Seattle Suboffice #14
Long Beach Suboffice #18
19. How do I know which individual suboffice has jurisdiction of a case once it is created?
When a case is created, standard notices are sent to the injured worker and the employer/carrier that include the case number and the assigned District Suboffice that will manage the case.
No. The claims staff in the Jacksonville Suboffice cannot provide you with the status of a particular case that is being created. New cases are generally created within 3 business days of receipt of the forms mentioned above in FAQ 13. If a case has not been created within that time frame, check with the District Suboffice that should have jurisdiction of the case for instructions.
21. What happens to my OWCP case file if I move?
You should submit your new address and contact information to OWCP. Please make sure to provide a day-time telephone number in the event we need to contact you. See FAQ 5 for information on how to submit documentation to OWCP.
22. How do I get a copy of my OWCP case file?
OWCP case files are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. §552a (the Privacy Act). You can get a copy of your case file from the ECOMP system.
You may also request a copy of your case file (or any information in your case file) by submitting a written request. The OWCP will provide one copy of your case file free of charge, but you must pay a copying charge for any additional copies. See FAQ 5 for information on how to submit a written request to OWCP.
23. How do I get a copy of someone else's OWCP case file?
The Privacy Act prohibits disclosure of the contents of OWCP case files to anyone who is not a party to the claim without a specific written consent from the injured employee who filed the claim, or a court order.
24. Who has the right to review my OWCP case file?
You, your employer, the employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier, authorized representatives, such as your or the employer's attorney, and DOL officials all have access to your OWCP case file for purposes of administering your claim.