BOP Program Statement 1120.20 § 4

a. Who may file a CECA claim? Under CECA, an employee may file a claim for damage to or

loss of personal property incident to his/her service with the Bureau.

b. Is there a form I use for filing a CECA claim? Yes. You must use an Employee Claim for

Loss of, or Damage to, Personal Property form (DOJ-110). You will also need a Schedule of

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Property form (DOJ-110A). The forms and the instructions for completing them are available on

Sallyport.

c. What evidence must I provide to support my claim? If your claim involves the repair of a

motor vehicle or other personal property, you should submit two written estimates. For claims

that involve personal property you should provide a receipt, if possible, or another means of

establishing the property’s current value.

Additionally, the Safety Department at the nearest institution should conduct an investigation

and take photographs in sufficient quantity and detail to provide the reviewing office with a clear

idea of the type and extent of damage, especially in the case of motor vehicle damage.

d. Is there a limit on the amount I can receive? Yes. Recovery under CECA is limited to

$40,000. However, if your claim arose from an emergency evacuation or an extraordinary

circumstance, you may recover up to $100,000. Recovery for any individual item is limited to

$5,000.

e. What are the elements of a CECA claim? Your claim must meet all the following criteria

and must also comply with the requirements in DOJ Policy Statement 1400.05 (available on

Sallyport):

■ You must substantiate the damage or loss (for example, if the loss occurred at work, you

must make a timely report to your supervisor, or if the loss occurred to your property offsite;

i.e., in reservation housing or during official travel, you should submit photographs).

■ The damage or loss must have been incident to your service with the Bureau.

■ Possession of the lost or damaged property was reasonable or useful for the performance of

assigned duties.

■ Neither you, your agent, nor your employee caused any part of the loss through a negligent or

wrongful act.

■ You must present the claim in writing within two years of the incident giving rise to the loss.

Government negligence is not necessary to recover under CECA.

f. Can I be reimbursed for loss or damage to my personal automobile? If the loss or

damage occurred during the normal course of traveling to or from your duty station or while

parked on institution grounds, you are not entitled to reimbursement for loss under CECA.

If the loss or damage occurred due to Government negligence, you may file a claim pursuant to

the Federal Tort Claims Act. See the Program Statement Federal Tort Claims Act.

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If the loss or damage occurred to your personal vehicle while you were on official travel status

and authorized to use your vehicle, you will generally be limited to recover only amounts not

paid by insurance, such as a deductible. See DOJ Policy Statement 1400.05, Para. I., F.8.

If you are filing a claim for your deductible, you must provide a copy of your insurance policy

showing the amount of the deductible. Deductible reimbursements are limited to $500.

g. Can I be reimbursed for loss or damage to my personal clothing? Yes. If the claim

involves loss or damage to personal property or clothing while on duty, you must show that the

loss or damage to the clothing resulted from exposure to extraordinary risks or hazardous

circumstances in the performance of your duty. See DOJ Policy Statement 1400.05, Para. I., E.3.

Damage to clothing resulting from snags on furniture or equipment while on duty can be claimed

only if the furniture or equipment was in disrepair or defective at the time of the incident.

Damage to personal property or clothing will only be reimbursed if the property or clothing was

reasonable and useful to perform your official duties.

h. Can I be reimbursed for loss or damage to my Bureau uniform? Yes. Generally, you

may file a CECA claim even if you have not exhausted your yearly uniform clothing

allowance. However, you must establish a claim as cited above in Section g.

i. Can I be reimbursed for loss or damage to my personal property due to relocation?

Yes. You may claim amounts that are not reimbursed by either the carrier or moving insurance.

You must provide proof that you have exhausted all other available remedies before seeking

reimbursement through CECA.