An OWCP schedule award is FECA compensation for permanent loss or loss of use of a scheduled body part, organ, or function caused by an accepted federal work injury. OWCP calculates the award as a period of compensation under 5 U.S.C. 8107. The claimant must have permanent impairment of a listed member or function after Maximum Medical Improvement. Regular payments follow the award notice; any commuted lump sum is discretionary under 20 CFR 10.422.
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.
Our companion guide, How Much Is an OWCP Schedule Award?, works through the exact calculation for arm, leg, hand, foot, hearing loss, and nerve-damage cases — with a full FECA body-part weeks table you can look up your own claim against. Read: /blog/owcp-schedule-award-amounts-by-body-part-2026
For FECA schedule awards, the Department of Labor directs that impairment ratings be completed after Maximum Medical Improvement under the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition. The report should cite the appropriate Guides tables and the date of MMI. A qualified physician performs the rating evaluation.
Schedule award weeks by body part
FECA assigns a fixed number of compensation weeks to each scheduled body part. Your award is those weeks multiplied by your impairment percentage, multiplied by your weekly compensation rate — 66⅔% of pay with no dependents, or 75% with at least one.
| Body part | Weeks | 100% impairment estimate* |
|---|---|---|
| Arm (lost or 100% impairment) | 312 | $312,000 |
| Leg | 288 | $288,000 |
| Hand | 244 | $244,000 |
| Foot | 205 | $205,000 |
| Eye | 160 | $160,000 |
| Thumb | 75 | $75,000 |
| First (index) finger | 46 | $46,000 |
| Second finger | 30 | $30,000 |
| Third finger | 25 | $25,000 |
| Fourth finger | 15 | $15,000 |
| Great toe | 38 | $38,000 |
| Other toe (each) | 16 | $16,000 |
| One ear (hearing loss) | 52 | $52,000 |
| Both ears (hearing loss) | 200 | $200,000 |
Worked example: a 20% arm impairment at a $1,000 weekly compensation rate pays 312 weeks × 20% × $1,000 = $62,400. For more worked examples across body parts, see our companion guide on schedule award payout amounts by body part.
The spine is not a scheduled body part, but nerve damage that impairs an arm or leg is rated through that extremity. If your injury involves radiculopathy, carpal tunnel, or peripheral neuropathy, see our dedicated guide to schedule awards for nerve damage — it covers the AMA Guides tables and the DFEC method used for spinal nerve injuries.
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.
There is no universal timetable for reaching MMI. The date depends on the condition, treatment course, and medical evidence. DOL guidance directs that the impairment rating be completed only after MMI and that the report cite the MMI date.
How the evaluation works
- 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.
- The examiner produces a written impairment rating — expressed as a percentage — with clinical justification for the rating.
- The report is submitted to OWCP through ECOMP.
- An OWCP medical advisor reviews the rating for compliance with the Guides and agency policy.
- If approved, OWCP issues a Schedule Award decision specifying weeks of compensation and total amount.
- Regular schedule-award payments follow the 28-day cycle stated in the award notice. A commuted lump sum is available only if OWCP approves it under 20 CFR 10.422.
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 tables correctly, or doesn't state which edition it used.
- 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.
If you've been treating for a federal work injury for 6+ months and haven't been evaluated for a Schedule Award, call us at (725) 726-7914. We can review whether you're likely at MMI and, if so, arrange an AMA Guides–compliant impairment evaluation.
Official sources
- 20 CFR 10.404, Schedule Impairment Compensation (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR7e58d4407f21abd/section-10.404), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations; current text accessed August 31, 2026.
- 20 CFR 10.422, Lump-Sum Payments (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR9c7b57ad9f99094/section-10.422), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations; current text accessed August 31, 2026.
- 5 U.S.C. 8107, Compensation Schedule (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=%28title%3A5+section%3A8107+edition%3Aprelim%29), U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel; current preliminary edition accessed August 31, 2026.
- Federal Employees’ Compensation Act FAQs (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/fec-faq), U.S. Department of Labor; publication date not listed; accessed August 31, 2026.
- FECA Procedure Manual, Chapter 2-1300, Lump-Sum Payments (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/FECA/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECA-PT2/group2), U.S. Department of Labor; lump-sum calculation revision September 2020; accessed August 31, 2026.
Keep exploring.
- Schedule award for nerve damage
Radiculopathy, carpal tunnel, and peripheral neuropathy rated through the affected extremity — AMA Guides tables and the DFEC spinal-nerve method.
- How much is an OWCP Schedule Award? Payout amounts by body part
The math + the full FECA body-part weeks table + worked examples for arm, leg, and nerve-damage cases.
- OWCP-accepted conditions
Musculoskeletal, repetitive strain, post-surgical, and chronic conditions OWCP recognizes.
- Return-to-work after injury
How RTW progression interacts with MMI determination and Schedule Award timing.
- Our physicians
MDs qualified to perform AMA Guides 6th Edition impairment evaluations.
- OWCP Overview
Where Schedule Awards fit in the full scope of OWCP care.
Common questions.
What is an OWCP schedule award?
FECA compensation for permanent loss or loss of use of a scheduled body part, organ, or function caused by an accepted federal work injury. It is calculated as a period of compensation under 5 U.S.C. 8107 and does not require the employee to be off work.
Who qualifies for an OWCP schedule award?
Federal employees with an accepted OWCP claim who have reached Maximum Medical Improvement and have permanent impairment to a scheduled body part — arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, eyes, or ears. The spine itself is not scheduled, but spinal injuries that cause permanent nerve damage in an arm or leg can be rated through that extremity.
When should I request a schedule award evaluation?
After Maximum Medical Improvement — the point when the condition has stabilized enough for permanent impairment to be evaluated. There is no universal treatment-duration threshold. DOL directs that the rating report cite the MMI date and provide the required measurements and impairment analysis.
How is impairment calculated for a schedule award?
For FECA schedule awards, the Department of Labor directs physicians to use the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition, after Maximum Medical Improvement. A qualified physician documents objective findings, cites the appropriate Guides tables and MMI date, and assigns an impairment percentage to the affected scheduled member.
How long does an OWCP schedule award take?
OWCP does not publish one guaranteed approval timeframe for schedule awards. Processing depends on whether the claim and scheduled condition are accepted, the impairment report is complete, and OWCP needs clarification, medical-adviser review, or another examination.
Can I get a schedule award and wage-loss compensation?
Not simultaneously for the same period, in most circumstances. They're distinct benefits: wage-loss compensation replaces income while you can't work, and a schedule award compensates permanent impairment regardless of work status. Many federal workers receive wage-loss compensation during recovery and then a schedule award after reaching MMI.