How is the death gratuity payment process initiated?
(a) Either the employing agency or a living claimant (survivor or alternate beneficiary) may initiate the death gratuity payment process. If the death gratuity payment process is initiated by the employing agency notifying OWCP of the employee’s death, each claimant must file a claim with OWCP in order to receive payment of the death gratuity. The legal representative or guardian of any minor child may file on the child’s behalf. Alternatively, if a claimant initiates the death gratuity payment process by filing a claim, the employing agency must complete a death notification form and submit it to OWCP. Other claimants must also file a claim for their portion of the death gratuity. (b) The employing agency must notify OWCP immediately upon learning of an employee’s death that may be eligible for benefits under this subpart, by submitting form CA–42 to OWCP. The agency must also submit to OWCP any designation forms completed by the employee, and the agency must provide as much informati
