Schedule Award Calculator

Estimate Your FECA Compensation for Permanent Impairment

Calculate Your Schedule Award

Comparison of Total Award at 66 2/3% and 75% Compensation Rates

What is a Schedule Award?

A Schedule Award is a form of compensation provided under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) to federal employees who have sustained a work-related permanent impairment or loss of use of certain body parts or functions. It’s important to understand that a Schedule Award is paid for the permanent impairment itself, not for wage loss during the recovery period, although it can be paid concurrently with wage loss benefits in some situations after Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is reached.

This type of compensation is awarded for specific extremities, digits, hearing, vision, and certain other organs or functions listed in the “schedule” outlined in 5 U.S.C. 8107 and the corresponding regulations. The amount of the Schedule Award depends on the body part affected, the degree (percentage) of permanent impairment as determined by a physician using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, the employee’s pay rate, and whether they have dependents (which affects the compensation rate).

Who Should Use the Schedule Award Calculator?

Federal employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness resulting in a permanent impairment to a scheduled body part or function should use the Schedule Award calculator to get an estimate of potential compensation. This includes employees covered under FECA. The calculator is particularly useful after a physician has provided a permanent impairment rating.

Common Misconceptions About the Schedule Award

One common misconception is that the Schedule Award is for pain and suffering; it is not. It is solely for the permanent loss or loss of use of the scheduled member or function. Another is that you cannot receive a Schedule Award if you return to work; you can, as it compensates for the impairment, not wage loss after MMI. Also, it’s not a settlement of your entire claim but specifically for the permanent impairment.

Schedule Award Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The calculation of a Schedule Award follows a specific formula based on the law:

1. Determine Statutory Weeks: Each scheduled body part or function is assigned a specific number of weeks of compensation by law (e.g., an arm is 312 weeks, a leg is 288 weeks).
2. Calculate Effective Weeks of Award: Multiply the statutory weeks by the percentage of impairment. For example, a 10% impairment of an arm (312 weeks) results in 31.2 effective weeks (312 * 0.10).
3. Determine Weekly Pay: Identify the employee’s pay rate at the time of injury, time of MMI, or when the employee returned to work, whichever is greater, and convert it to a weekly figure if it isn’t already.
4. Calculate Weekly Compensation: Multiply the weekly pay by the applicable compensation rate (66 2/3% or 75%). For instance, if weekly pay is $1000 and the rate is 75%, weekly compensation is $750.
5. Calculate Total Schedule Award: Multiply the effective weeks of award by the weekly compensation amount. Using the examples above: 31.2 weeks * $750/week = $23,400.

The formula is: Total Schedule Award = (Statutory Weeks × % Impairment / 100) × (Weekly Pay × Compensation Rate / 100)

Variables Table

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Statutory Weeks	Number of weeks assigned to the body part by law.	Weeks	15 – 312
% Impairment	Percentage of permanent impairment.	%	0 – 100
Pay Rate	Employee’s gross pay rate.	$/week or $/bi-week	Varies
Compensation Rate	Percentage of pay rate used for compensation.	%	66.67 or 75

Table of variables used in the Schedule Award calculation.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Arm Impairment

An employee sustains a work-related injury resulting in a permanent 15% impairment of their arm. Their weekly pay rate is $1200, and they have dependents (75% compensation rate).

• Body Part: Arm (312 weeks)
• Impairment: 15%
• Weekly Pay: $1200
• Compensation Rate: 75%

Effective Weeks = 312 * 0.15 = 46.8 weeks
Weekly Compensation = $1200 * 0.75 = $900
Total Schedule Award = 46.8 * $900 = $42,120

The employee would be entitled to a Schedule Award of $42,120, payable over 46.8 weeks at $900 per week, or potentially as a lump sum under certain conditions after a portion is paid.

Example 2: Hearing Loss

An employee is found to have work-related binaural (both ears) hearing loss, rated at 25% impairment. Their weekly pay rate is $950, and they have no dependents (66 2/3% compensation rate).

• Body Part: Hearing (Both Ears – 200 weeks)
• Impairment: 25%
• Weekly Pay: $950
• Compensation Rate: 66.67%

Effective Weeks = 200 * 0.25 = 50 weeks
Weekly Compensation = $950 * 0.6667 = $633.37 (approx.)
Total Schedule Award = 50 * $633.37 = $31,668.50

The employee would receive a Schedule Award of $31,668.50 for the permanent hearing impairment.

How to Use This Schedule Award Calculator

1. Select Body Part: Choose the impaired body part from the dropdown list. The statutory weeks are pre-filled based on your selection.
2. Enter Impairment Percentage: Input the percentage of impairment (0-100) provided by the physician.
3. Enter Pay Rate: Input your gross pay rate.
4. Select Pay Rate Type: Indicate if the pay rate is weekly or bi-weekly. The calculator will convert bi-weekly to weekly.
5. Select Compensation Rate: Choose 75% if you have dependents, 66 2/3% otherwise.
6. Calculate: Click “Calculate” to see the results.
7. Review Results: The calculator will show the total estimated Schedule Award, effective weeks, and weekly compensation amount.
8. Reset: Use “Reset” to clear inputs to default values.
9. Copy: Use “Copy Results” to copy the key figures.

The results provide an estimate. The final determination of your Schedule Award will be made by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP).

Key Factors That Affect Schedule Award Results

• Body Part Involved: Different body parts have different maximum weeks of compensation, significantly impacting the base of the Schedule Award calculation.
• Percentage of Impairment: This is the most direct multiplier. A higher percentage, as determined according to the AMA Guides, leads to a proportionally higher number of effective weeks and thus a larger Schedule Award.
• Pay Rate: The employee’s pay rate at the time of injury, MMI, or return to work (whichever is highest) directly influences the weekly compensation amount used in the Schedule Award calculation. Higher pay leads to a higher award.
• Compensation Rate (Dependents): Having dependents increases the compensation rate from 66 2/3% to 75% of the pay rate, increasing the weekly compensation and the total Schedule Award.
• Medical Evidence: The quality and completeness of medical evidence supporting the impairment rating are crucial. The OWCP relies on this to confirm the percentage of impairment used in the Schedule Award calculation.
• Date of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI): MMI is when the condition is stable and unlikely to improve further. The impairment rating for the Schedule Award is typically determined at MMI.
• Prior Impairments: If there were prior impairments to the same body part, they might be factored in, potentially reducing the award for the current injury.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Schedule Award?

A Schedule Award is compensation for permanent impairment of specific body parts or functions due to a work-related injury or illness under FECA.

Is the Schedule Award taxed?

No, FECA benefits, including the Schedule Award, are generally not subject to federal income tax.

Can I receive a Schedule Award if I return to work?

Yes, you can receive a Schedule Award even if you return to work, as it compensates for the permanent impairment, not wage loss after MMI.

Can I get my Schedule Award as a lump sum?

You may be able to request a lump-sum payment of your Schedule Award after a portion has been paid, but it’s subject to OWCP approval and may be reduced to present value.

What if I have impairments to multiple body parts?

You may be entitled to separate Schedule Awards for impairments to different body parts from the same or different injuries. The calculator handles one at a time, but your total entitlement would be the sum of individual awards if applicable consecutively.

How is the percentage of impairment determined?

It’s determined by a physician, usually based on the 6th Edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, and reviewed by OWCP.

What if I disagree with the impairment rating?

You have the right to disagree with the impairment rating and can submit additional medical evidence or request a second opinion or referee specialist, following OWCP procedures.

Does receiving a Schedule Award affect other benefits?

You generally cannot receive wage loss benefits (Temporary Total Disability or Temporary Partial Disability) for the same period you receive Schedule Award payments, but you can receive medical benefits. If you later have a recurrence of disability, wage loss may resume after the award period ends.