DoD Aid and Assistance
(SCAADL)

SCAADL:
[Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living]

 This special monthly compensation is for servicemembers who incur a permanent catastrophic injury or illness. SCAADL helps offset the loss of income by a primary caregiver who provides non-medical care, support, and assistance for the servicemember.

In order to get it you must meet these criteria:

1. Have incurred or aggravated a permanent catastrophic illness or injury in the line of duty.

2. Have been certified by a DoD- or 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.

3. Are an outpatient and have identified a designated primary caregiver. The
designated primary caregiver:

a. May be a Service member assigned to the Reserve Component not serving on active duty. If the Service member designates a member of the Reserve Component as their primary caregiver, an alternate caregiver must also be designated. Members of the Active Component and Reserve Component assigned to active duty will not serve as designated primary caregivers.

b. Must not be receiving the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for
Family Caregivers stipend or VA Aid and Attendance compensation in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.b.(2) and 4.1.b.(3).

c. May still be eligible to receive the respite benefit if they are qualified in
accordance with TOM 6010.56-M.

d. Must be at least 18 years of age. The exception to this requirement is if the
Service member’s spouse is under 18 years of age, he or she may be the primary or alternate caregiver.

4. Are outpatients and not receiving federally funded in-home services (other than respite care), including TRICARE, to assist with activities of daily living (ADL) or supervision to avoid harm to self or others.

5. Service members receiving other home health services in accordance with
TOM 6010.56-M remain eligible to receive SCAADL compensation, except as described in Paragraph 4.1.b.

Rating:
When you get approved you will be rated on a three-tier system: LOW, MODERATE or HIGH. This will determine how much compensation you will receive.

Applying for the SCAADL program:

To apply for the program your DOD or VA physician will complete a DD Form 2948 and forward it via your chain of command, to the MRC SCAADL POC for review, processing and submission to DFAS.

Note: You must reapply ever 180 days or if you become an inpatient for 16 or more cumulative days within a 30-day period.