Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL), authorized by the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, provides monthly compensation for service members who incur permanent, catastrophic illnesses or injuries in the line of duty that require the services of a home health aide to provide non-medical care, support, and assistance. SCAADL provides up to 90 days of payments after separation from active duty based upon the level of care needed and prevailing rates for home health aides in the geographic area of the service member's residence. 

Retired service members are eligible for SCAADL if they meet the below conditions and only for up to 90 days after separation from Active duty. While out-processing, the transitioning service member needs to complete the application for the VA Caregiver Stipend.

The service member should work with their recovery team to begin the transition process. The Service member may realize a change in compensation when transitioning to VA Caregiver Stipend.

A service member, whether Active or Reserve, must meet all of the following conditions:

• Has incurred or aggravated a permanent catastrophic illness or injury in the line of duty

• Has been certified by a licensed DoD or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician to need assistance from another person to perform activities of daily living or for supervision or protection, and, in the absence of such assistance, would require hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care

• Is an outpatient and has identified a designated primary caregiver; and

• Is not receiving federally funded in-home services (other than respite care), including TRICARE, to assist with activities of daily living or for supervision or protection to avoid harm to self or others.

Click here for more detailed eligibility information for SCAADL.

Amounts payable: The amount of monthly compensation will be based on the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage rate using the 75th percentile of the hourly wage rate for a home health aide in the service member's geographic area of residence.

The amount of compensation will be based on a three-tier system recognizing the variation in complexity of care required by the service member. The service member's clinical eligibility assessment from DD Form 2948, which determines the clinical complexity and associated functional capability as defined by ADLs and required hours of care, will be used to determine which of three tiers of care is needed. The service member's primary care manager (PCM) will determine the member's level of dependency based on the degree to which the member is unable to perform one or more ADLs or the degree to which the member needs supervision or protection. Service members will be rated as follows:

• Tier 1: Service member who scores 1-12 will be presumed to require at least 10-24 hours per week of caregiver assistance

• Tier 2: Service member who scores 13-20 will be presumed to require at least 25-39 hours per week of caregiver assistance

• Tier 3: Service member who scores 21 or higher will be presumed to need a full-time caregiver who provides at least 40 hours of personal care per week

Computation of the monthly payment amount: Multiply the number of hours of care needed for the appropriate tier (10, 25, or 40) by 4.35 to determine the number of hours of care needed per month. Multiply that number by the hourly wage rate for a home health aide in the service member's geographic area of residence.

For example, if a service member is determined to need the Medium Tier level of assistance (25 hours per week) living in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area:

25 x 4.35 = 108.75 hours per month. 108.75 x $14.80 (local hourly wage rate) = $1,609.50 monthly payment

A SCAADL calculator, including local hourly wage rates by zip code, can be found on the website of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) at: https://militarypay.defense.gov/Calculators/SCAADL-Calculator/

The DoD SCAADL Calculator has been updated to provide estimated levels of compensation using the 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. DoD will continue to use 2024 data until SCAADL policy is revised to match changes the VA is making to their Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Please contact your Military Department SCAADL representative with any questions. 

Application Procedure:

To apply for SCAADL, service members or their guardians must have the service member's primary care manager or other DoD or VA physician conduct a clinical eligibility assessment, using DD Form 2948, to certify that the service member needs assistance from another person to perform the personal functions required in everyday living or requires constant supervision and in the absence of the provision of such care would require hospitalization, nursing home, or other residential institutional care. Service members should contact a member of their recovery team (primary care manager, nurse case manager, recovery care coordinator, non-medical case manager, AFW2 Advocate, or unit leadership) for guidance. Applications must be forwarded by service member’s Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC) to the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program.

DoD Warrior Care - Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL):
https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/Benefits/Special-Compensation-for-Assistance-with-Activities-of-Daily-Living-SCAADL/

DFAS Wounded Warrior Pay Support:
https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/woundedwarrior/woundedwarriorpay/

DoD Warrior Care, Caregiver Resources:
https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/caregiver-resources/

Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program: 
https://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/

DoD Instruction 1341.12, 31 October 2019:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/134112p.pdf

DD Form 2948:
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2948.pdf