What Are Temporary Disability Benefits?

October 24, 2018
By Glauber Berenson Vego

There are several different types of benefits you could receive from workers’ compensation in California. One of those is temporary disability benefits. It is important to understand what this means if this is the type of benefit you receive because it will help you to know how long you may receive it and the different conditions of the benefit.

According to the Department of Industrial Relations, temporary disability benefits, as the name suggests, are just temporary. You receive these benefits when your injury will keep you off work while you recover, but once you recover, you can return to work. You will only receive them if you cannot work for more than three days. You also must be off work under a doctor’s orders. To go back to work, your doctor must approve it.

You will not get your full pay under workers’ compensation. You receive two-thirds of your gross pay. However, this is two-thirds of all your pay. So, for example, if you work two jobs, you receive two-thirds of your pay for both jobs even though you were injured at only one of the jobs. So, it is essential to report all income and employers on your claim. Pay is every two weeks regardless of how you were paid by your employer or employers.

Generally speaking, temporary disability benefits are for someone who suffers an injury but can recover from it and return to the exact position held before the accident. If your injuries are more severe or will have lasting effects, you would get another type of benefit. This information is for education only. It is not legal advice.