OWCP Schedule Awards Explained

A Schedule Award is a separate lump-sum payment from OWCP for permanent impairment of a specific body part caused by your federal work injury. It's independent of wage-loss compensation and medical benefits. Most federal workers with a chronic OWCP-accepted injury are eligible for at least some Schedule Award — but many never receive one because it's never claimed.

What Schedule Awards compensate

FECA Section 8107 provides a Schedule Award for permanent loss or loss of use of specific scheduled body parts — extremities, organs, hearing, vision, and certain systemic losses. The award is independent of whether you return to work, still have medical needs, or have ongoing impairment symptoms.

The scheduled body parts and the maximum weeks of compensation for total loss of each:

• Arm — 312 weeks
• Leg — 288 weeks
• Hand — 244 weeks
• Foot — 205 weeks
• Eye (loss) — 160 weeks
• Thumb — 75 weeks
• First finger — 46 weeks
• Second finger — 30 weeks
• Third finger — 25 weeks
• Fourth finger — 15 weeks
• Great toe — 38 weeks
• Other toe — 16 weeks
• Hearing (both ears) — 200 weeks
• Hearing (one ear) — 52 weeks

How impairment is calculated

For partial impairment, OWCP prorates the scheduled maximum. If your treating physician determines you have 20% permanent impairment of your right arm, you'd receive 20% of 312 weeks — 62.4 weeks of compensation.

The weekly amount is 66 2/3% of your pay rate (or 75% if you have dependents) — subject to FECA's minimum and maximum caps. For a federal worker earning $70,000/year, a 20% right arm impairment would generate roughly $55,000–$65,000 in Schedule Award compensation, depending on pay rate and dependents.

When to request a Schedule Award evaluation

The standard timing: request a Schedule Award evaluation once you've reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) — the point where your condition has stabilized and further significant improvement is not expected. MMI is a clinical determination made by your treating physician.

Most soft-tissue injuries reach MMI within 6–12 months. Post-surgical cases may take 12–18 months. Complex neurological or post-concussion cases can take longer. Your physician documents MMI in the chart and typically submits a written letter to your OWCP claims examiner indicating you're ready for impairment evaluation.

How the evaluation works

1. Your treating physician (or an OWCP-referred specialist) performs a detailed impairment examination following the AMA Guides 6th Edition protocol for your specific body part.
2. The examiner produces a written impairment rating — expressed as a percentage — with clinical justification for the rating.
3. The report is submitted to OWCP through ECOMP.
4. An OWCP medical advisor reviews the rating for compliance with the Guides and agency policy.
5. If approved, OWCP issues a Schedule Award decision specifying weeks of compensation and total amount.
6. Payments are typically made biweekly over the scheduled period (unless you elect a lump-sum alternative, which is available in some circumstances).

Schedule Awards and ongoing medical care

Receiving a Schedule Award does NOT end your medical benefits under OWCP. Your right to medical care for the accepted condition continues — you can still see your treating physician, continue PT, have surgery if needed, and receive medication management. The Schedule Award compensates for permanent impairment; it is not a settlement of the claim.

Common reasons Schedule Awards get delayed

• No physician has formally declared MMI in the record.
• The impairment rating report doesn't cite the AMA Guides 6th Edition correctly.
• OWCP medical advisor disagrees with the rating and requests a second evaluation.
• Multiple body parts are involved and need separate ratings.
• The claimant never formally requests an evaluation — OWCP will not initiate one automatically in most cases.