Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits in California

 Posted on February 17, 2023 in Types of Benefits

Under California's workers' compensation system, an injured worker may be entitled to a supplemental job displacement voucher if their injury prevents them from returning to the same or similar employment. This voucher is intended to help workers pay for retraining and education expenses, such as tuition costs, books, and fees. A qualified workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand what a supplemental job displacement voucher is, when a worker is eligible to receive one, and how much the voucher is worth.

What Is a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher?

Commonly known as a supplemental job displacement voucher, the supplemental job displacement benefit (SJDB) is a payment given by the insurance company that pays for certain educational and vocational training expenses incurred by an injured worker who cannot return to his or her pre-injury job. The SJDB is issued in the form of a voucher that can be used for tuition costs at accredited public or private schools, textbooks and other materials necessary for school attendance, fees associated with testing or certification programs, career counseling services related to obtaining new skills or training for new occupations, and any other educational expense approved by the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The SJDB does not cover living expenses during training or commuting costs associated with attending classes.

When Is a Worker Eligible for a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher?

In order to be eligible for the SJDB in California, an injured worker must meet all of the following criteria:

• They must have suffered a work-related injury on or after January 1, 2004.
• They must have a permanent partial disability as a result of the injury.
• They must not have been offered other, comparable work by the employer.
• There are slightly different criteria for those who were injured on or after January 1, 2013, as well as updated guidelines as to how the voucher can be used, but these are the most basic requirements.

How Much Is the Voucher Worth?

The amount of help provided under an SJDB varies based on several factors. For injuries that occurred between 2004 and 2012, the amount of the voucher will depend on the amount of the injured worker’s disability payments with a maximum amount of $10,000. For injuries that occurred on or after January 1, 2013, the voucher is worth $6,000.

It is important to note that SDJBs are non-transferable, which means they can only be used by the person to whom they are issued. In addition, vouchers issued for injuries that occurred in 2013 or later will expire two years after the date of issue or five years after the date of the injury, whichever comes last.

Speak With a Gilroy Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you are dealing with a permanent partial disability due to a workplace injury, an experienced Santa Clara workers’ comp attorney can help you explore the possibility of obtaining the supplemental job displacement benefit. Call 408-848-1113 for a free consultation at Cramer + Martinez today.

Sources:

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/sjdb.html

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/SJDB/SJDB_FAQ.html#3