Injuries or illnesses that happened on the job may allow you to receive temporary disability benefits. It is often included in a worker’s compensation package.
These benefits can help you continue to support yourself as you heal and get ready to return to work. Exactly how do these benefits work, though?
Types of temporary disability benefits
The State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations discusses temporary disability benefits. First, understand the types available. You could receive partial or total temporary disability benefits, depending on what sort of injury you suffered from and how it affects your ability to work.
In short, if you still have the physical ability to work part-time, you can get partial benefits. If you cannot work at all, you may get total benefits.
Disability benefit limits
There is also a limit on the amount of benefits you are entitled to. Temporary disability benefits will often pay up to two-thirds of the total of your lost wages during the period of time that you cannot work. But if this exceeds the weekly amount that is allowed by law, you will receive only that maximum legal amount.
Time frames of payment
Finally, become familiar with the time frame of payments. They will usually start the moment your doctor determines that your injury or illness will prevent you from being able to do your job for a minimum of three days.
You can receive payment every two weeks from that point on until your condition improves and you return to work or your doctor determines no more improvement will happen. At that point, you may need to look at permanent disability options.