Training Voucher

The New Workers’ Compensation

What Is Workers’ Compensation?
What Is SB 899?
What Is The Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit?
What is a Vocational Or Return-To-Work Counselor?

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation is meant to provide an injured worker with the limited statutory benefit for an on-the-job injury as an exclusive remedy against an employer. This is a no-fault system, meaning an employer need not be negligent for an employee to receive the benefit.

• Workers’ Compensation provides for:
• Medical Benefits
• Temporary Disability Benefits
• Permanent Disability Benefits
• Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits or a Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit
• Death Benefits

For more information visit http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/basics.htm

What Is SB 899?

SB 899 was enacted in 2004 in order to reduce the costs of the Workers’ Compensation system. Great changes have been made in the areas to how QME’s are chosen, it allows for the creation of “Medical Provider Networks”, changes to workplace posters, a new permanent disability rating schedule, and replaces the vocational rehabilitation benefit with a supplemental job displacement benefit.

What Is The Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit?

The supplemental job displacement benefit is a voucher in the form of a letter an injured employee will receive from their claims administrator to help pay for retraining if their employer does not offer modified or alternative work within 30 days after their last temporary disability payment, and they cannot return to work for that employer within 60 days. The amount of this benefit is determined by a workers’ compensation judge upon review of the employee’s permanent disability rating; vouchers range from $4,000.00 for disabilities up to 15%, to up to $10,000.00 for disabilities from 50% and greater.

What Is A Vocational or Return-To-Work Counselor?

SB 899 allows for an injured worker to dedicate up to 10% of their supplemental job displacement benefit to the services of a vocational or return-to-work counselor to assist that individual through the process of retraining in order to return to work.

The counselor will assist the individual in:

• Billing, so the employee suffers the least out of pocket expense.
• They will help the employee identify a new career path or set of skills for training.
• Assist in identifying the right school for that individual.
• Help their client develop job search skills and assist them in locating and applying for jobs and career tips.