What Are Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits?

 Posted on June 21, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

A workplace injury can affect a person in many ways. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are available to provide injured workers with financial assistance while they are recovering, and workers’ comp will also pay for all expenses related to medical treatment for an injury. In many cases, a person can receive temporary disability benefits while their injury has limited their ability to work. Once they have fully recovered, they can return to work. However, if a person will be unable to return to their former position, they may be able to receive permanent disability benefits, as well as supplemental job displacement benefits that will allow them to find work that fits their limitations.

SJDB Vouchers and the Return-to-Work Supplement Program

If a work injury has resulted in a permanent partial disability that has caused a person to experience limitations on the types of work they can perform, and they will be unable to return to work for their former employer, they can receive benefits that will allow them to obtain education or training and pursue employment in a new position. 

Supplemental job displacement benefits (SJDB) are available if an employer does not offer regular work equivalent to their former position or modified work in alternative positions that fit limitations that apply to the person due to their disability. A person will qualify for these benefits if they do not receive an offer from their employer of a position that will last for at least 12 months and pays at least 85 percent of the person’s wages before their injury.

If a worker does not receive an offer of employment within 60 days after being cleared to return to work, they will qualify to receive an SJDB voucher. This voucher will provide $6,000 to be used to obtain education or training at a public school or other approved provider. Some of this amount may also be put toward the costs of certification or licensing or to purchase tools and equipment. Up to $1,000 can be used to purchase computer equipment, and up to $600 can be used to pay for services from a vocational counselor or placement agency. A person can also use up to $500 for miscellaneous expenses.

In addition to an SJDB voucher, a person may also receive a one-time payment of $5,000 through the Return-to-Work Supplement Program (RTWSP). This amount is meant to supplement earnings lost due to an injury, and a person can apply for this benefit within one year after being mailed an SJDB voucher.

Contact Our Hollister SJDB Attorneys

Following a work injury, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the procedures that must be followed to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. At Cramer & Martinez, LLP, our attorneys can help you navigate this process and ensure that you receive the benefits you need, including an SJDB voucher that will help you find employment in a new position. Contact our Santa Clara County workers’ comp lawyers at 408-848-1113 to arrange your free consultation.

Sources:

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

https://www.dir.ca.gov/RTWSP/RTWSP.html

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/WorkersCompensationBenefits.htm