The Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL) program provides Service members, who have a permanent catastrophic injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, compensation to pay their primary caregivers who provide non-medical care, support, and assistance.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A service member must meet all the following conditions to be eligible for SCAADL;
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Has incurred or aggravated a permanent catastrophic illness or injury in the line of duty;
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Needs assistance from another person to perform the personal functions required in everyday living or requires constant supervision;
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Has been certified by a DOD- or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-licensed physician to need assistance from another person to perform the personal functions required by everyday living and, in the absence of such assistance, would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care; and
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Is an outpatient and has identified a designated primary caregiver.
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Category 3 criteria (certified DoD or VA physician), as outlined in DoDI 1300.24, which states service member "is highly unlikely to return to duty" and "will most likely be medically separated from the military" (Air Force-specific criteria)
*Permanent. Lasting or remaining without essential change; not expected to change in status, condition, or place.
**Catastrophic injury or illness. A permanent, severely disabling injury, disorder, or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty that compromises the ability to perform ADLs to such a degree that an Airman requires personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or bed or requires constant supervision to avoid physical harm to self or others and is unlikely to recover from such a disability.
COMPENSATION
The monthly compensation an eligible service member may receive is based on the service member’s dependency level— how many hours of care are needed— grouped into one of three Tier levels as determined by a DOD- or VA-licensed physician:
- Tier 1 - low level of dependency that requires at least 10 hours of caregiver services per week
- Tier 2 - moderate level of dependency that requires at least 25 hours of caregiver services per week
- Tier 3 - high level of dependency, requiring at least 40 hours (or full-time) caregiver services per week
The number of weekly hours of caregiver assistance and the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage rates for a home-health aide in the Service member’s geographic location determine the amount of compensation. For example, a Service member receiving a Tier 1 compensation level in Montgomery, Alabama may receive a different amount of monthly compensation than a service member receiving a Tier 1 compensation level in Los Angeles, California due to the different wage rates in those geographic areas.
A service member may continue receiving SCAADL compensation until the earlier of: (1) 90 days after discharge from military service; (2) when a DOD- or VA-licensed physician determines the service member no longer meets SCAADL eligibility requirements; (3) when the service member begins receiving VA Special Monthly Compensation (Section 1114 of Title 38, U.S.C.); (4) when the service member’s caregiver begins receiving the VA’s Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program stipend; (5) if any other federal agency or TRICARE-funded program is providing outpatient or in-home services to assist the service member with ADL or with supervision to avoid the service member harming oneself or others; or (6) if the service member enters hospice care unless hospice care is for management of medication.
PLEASE CALL FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
Your Local Recovery Care Coordinator
Can Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve Service member receive SCAADL?
Yes. SCAADL is authorized if injury or illness was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty as certified by unit commander.
Who receives the SCAADL payment?
SCAADL is paid directly to the Service member, not the Service member’s designated caregiver. It is up to the Service member to ensure that the caregiver receives the appropriate compensation.
Is SCAADL compensation retroactive?
No. SCAADL cannot be backdated to a previous date. Compensation is effective the date the physician certified eligibility on the DD Form 2948.
Is SCAADL tax exempt?
No. SCAADL is a taxable compensation.
Who can a Service member designate a primary caregiver?
Anyone can serve as a primary caregiver as long as over the age of 18 years old. However, the caregiver cannot be Reserve Component serving on active duty (if they are then an alternate caregiver must be designated).
If caregiver is Active Duty or on any type of orders they will not serve as designated primary caregivers.
What if a Service member disagrees with his/her SCAADL determination?
A section on the DD Form 2948 provides an opportunity to appeal. Appeals will be submitted through the Service members RCC, with additional supporting medical documentation, to the AFW2 Program. An impartial medical review will be conducted prior to determining Service members final SCAADL eligibility.
Are there any instances where a Service member’s SCAADL could change?
Yes, during re-evaluations that are required every 150 days (Air Force-specific criteria), or sooner if Service member’s dependency level changes. Termination of compensation will occur on 180th day if a complete re-evaluation is not received. Also, can be changed if member no longer meets the eligibility criteria for SCAADL.
Can Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve Service member receive SCAADL and MEDCON or INCAP pay at the same time?
Yes. SCAADL is paid in addition to any other pay and allowance to which the Service member is entitled or authorized.
Can a Service member participate in Adaptive Sports and Resiliency Programs (ASRP) and eligible for SCAADL?
Yes. Service member may participate if SCAADL eligibility criteria has been met and has been cleared by their provider and unit commander.
Can a Service member receive payments under non- medical attendant (NMA) and SCAADL programs at the same time?
No. If the NMA is serving as the caretaker then they are not permitted to receive SCAADL. They can only receive one benefit.
How does a Service member’s caregiver apply for the VA’s PCAFC?
The caregiver may apply for the PCAFC once the Service member’s date of separation has been established. Not all Service member’s receiving SCAADL will qualify for the PCAFC Program, as there are differences in eligibility criteria.
What if a Service member’s status changes from outpatient to inpatient?
If the Service member is in an outpatient status for much of the month, he or she will still be eligible. SCAADL payment must be terminated if hospitalized for 16 cumulative days within a 30-day period. Re- evaluation is required after hospital discharge, if applicable.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AFW2 PROGRAM
Call Toll Free: 1-800-581-9437 or Comm: 210-565- 2940
Email: wounded.warrior@us.af.mil
Website: http://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/
Social Media: www.facebook.com/AirForceWoundedWarrior www.twitter.com/AFW2
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