NRP Withdrawal of Modified Work is a Valid Basis for a Recurrence

The Postal Service National Reassessment Program (NRP) has caused countless USPS employees to lose their jobs or have their hours reduced to as little as one hour of work per day. I get many calls these days from USPS employees who have been put off the clock, partially or totally, with the Postal Service saying that they don't have work available. If you have an approved federal workers compensation claim, and this happens to you, you should file a Recurrence immediately. On the Recurrence Form (CA-2a), where you are asked to describe the Recurrence (box 21), you should indicate that your temporary modified duty job was taken away or your hours were reduced. You must also start filing CA-7 forms at the end of every pay period. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE regarding any of this.

OWCP should approve your Recurrence based upon the USPS withdrawing work. Make sure you have in writing from the USPS what has happened, and send a copy of that letter directly to OWCP. Remember, as always, to put your claim number on every piece of paper you send to OWCP.


If OWCP responds by telling you that you are not entitled to a Recurrence because a wage earning capacity decision was issued previously in your case, you should call me. Many such decisions were issued improperly over the last 20 years and can be overturned.