You get hurt at work. It’s reasonable to expect the workers’ compensation system to provide you with the medical treatment and wage replacement benefits you need to recover from the injury and get back on the job.
But what happens when you can’t get back to the job you were doing after an injury? In such a situation you are called a Qualified Injured Worker (“QIW”) and one benefit you are entitled to is the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit, or “Voucher.”
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB DISPLACEMENT BENEFITS FOR QUALIFIED INJURED WORKERS
If you’re a QIW, this means the permanent work limitations provided by the releasing physician are too restrictive for you to go back to doing the job you were performing when injured. Thus, the workers’ compensation system provides the voucher benefit to assist you with your next job. Whether that be schooling that is necessary for knowledge and new skills, job placement services or obtaining equipment to start a new profession, the voucher can be used for all of these purposes and more.
HOW MUCH IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL JOB DISPLACEMENT BENEFIT VOUCHER?
If your injury was prior to 2013, the voucher value will vary between $4,000.00 and $10,000.00 depending on your level of permanent disability and the value does not expire. Additionally, a voucher prior to 2013 can be settled for cash which might be more useful than the non-transferable benefit. If your date of injury is after 2013, the voucher value is set at $6,000.00 and must be used within 2 years of issue or 5 years from the date of injury.
While a voucher after 2013 cannot be settled and is set at the fixed rate of $6,000.00. The state does provide a one-time $5,000.00 cash Return-to-Work supplement program a QIW is entitled to upon receipt of the supplemental job displacement benefit.
WE CAN HELP WITH SUPPLEMENTAL JOB DISPLACEMENT BENEFITS
This process is confusing and the voucher has many limitations associated with its use. We are familiar with the supplemental job displacement benefit and are happy to assist those people who need to use the voucher effectively for moving forward with their life after an injury, are looking to settle the voucher or need information regarding the $5,000.00 Return-to-Work supplement program. Contact The Law Office of Matthew Russell in San Diego today by calling (619) 544-1506