Who Gets a Schedule Award?
A schedule award is a type of workers’ compensation benefit that is paid to employees who have suffered a permanent impairment as a result of a work-related injury. Schedule awards are based on a predetermined schedule of benefits that is set by law. The amount of the award depends on the body part that was injured and the severity of the impairment.
To be eligible for a schedule award, an employee must meet the following criteria:
- They must be a current or former federal employee who was injured while on the job.
- Their injury must be permanent and must result in a loss of function of the injured body part.
- Their injury must be listed in the schedule of benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA).
The following body parts are eligible for schedule awards:
- Arm
- Leg
- Hand
- Fingers
- Foot
- Eye
- Breast
- Skin
- Kidney
Once an employee has established their eligibility for a schedule award, they will be assigned a percentage of impairment by a doctor who is approved by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The percentage of impairment is based on the severity of the injury and the loss of function that it has caused. The higher the percentage of impairment, the higher the amount of the schedule award.
Schedule awards are paid in installments over a period of time. The number of installments depends on the body part that was injured and the percentage of impairment. For example, an employee who loses a hand may be entitled to 175 weeks of schedule award payments.
If you are a federal employee who has been injured on the job, you should contact the OWCP to learn more about your eligibility for a schedule award. The OWCP can help you file a claim and can provide you with assistance throughout the claims process.
