Workers' Compensation Weekly Benefit Estimator

How to do it

1. 1
   Enter your earnings

   Type your total earnings and the number of weeks they cover.

2. 2
   Enter your state's rules

   Fill in the percentage, the minimum and maximum weekly rate, the waiting period and the retroactive period.

3. 3
   Enter the days off work

   Type the expected number of days you will be unable to work.

4. 4
   Read the weekly rate

   See the average weekly wage, the weekly benefit and whether a cap applied.

5. 5
   Check the total

   The result estimates what you would receive for the days off.

About this tool

After a work injury, most states pay temporary total disability benefits equal to about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, within a minimum and a maximum that each state sets. This estimator takes your earnings over a period, finds the average weekly wage, applies the percentage, caps the result at your state maximum, and uses the waiting period to estimate what you would receive for the days you are off work. The state values are boxes you fill in, because they differ by state and change every year.

Who this is for Injured workers who want a first idea of what the weekly check will be, family members planning a budget, and HR staff explaining the basics. It is not a claim and it does not decide anything.

The calculation First the average weekly wage: earnings in the period divided by the weeks in the period, often the 13 weeks before the injury. Then 66.67 percent of that wage, or the percentage your state uses. The result is held between the state minimum and the state maximum weekly rate. Many states pay benefits tax-free.

The waiting period Most states pay nothing for the first few days off work, often three, and start paying them retroactively if the disability lasts beyond a set period, often 14 days. The tool lets you enter both numbers and your expected days off to estimate the total paid. Check your state agency for the exact rule.

Why the state matters Maximum weekly rates differ widely, from under $1,000 to well over $2,000 in some states, and the minimum, the percentage and the duration also vary. Look up the figures for your state on its workers' compensation agency page and type them in. Nothing here is prefilled with a state's official numbers on purpose.

Worked example Earnings of $13,000 over 13 weeks give an average weekly wage of $1,000. Two-thirds is $666.70 per week, within a state maximum of $1,300, so the weekly benefit is $666.70, about $2,889 a month and 66.7 percent of the previous wage. With 10 days off, a 3-day waiting period and a 14-day retroactive rule, the total paid for 10 days is about $666.70 times 1.43 weeks, roughly $952.

Limits Permanent disability, medical benefits, vocational rehabilitation, death benefits and settlements are not covered. A claim can be denied or disputed. Talk to your state agency or a lawyer about your case. This estimate is for understanding only.

Worked example

Earnings of $13,000 over 13 weeks give an average weekly wage of $1,000 and, at two-thirds with a $1,300 state maximum, a weekly benefit of $666.70.