In Arizona, temporary disability benefits are provided to workers who are unable to return to their jobs due to a work-related injury or illness. Know more about this under Arizona’s workers’ compensation laws.
Types of Temporary Disability Benefits
These temporary benefits compensate employees for lost pay while they recuperate from a job-related injury or sickness. There are two main types:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is for employees who cannot work during the recovery period.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) is for employees who can return to work in a limited capacity. They earn less than they did before the injury.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits Calculation
TTD benefits in Arizona cover 66.67% of your typical monthly pay at the time of injury. Remember there is a state-mandated cap on the maximum monthly amount you can get. The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) sets this cap annually.
Start of Temporary Disability Benefits
There is a wait time of 7 days before receiving your benefits. This includes weekends. You will be compensated retroactively for a disability that lasts more than 14 days.
Duration of TTD Benefits
TTD benefits apply as long as you cannot work due to your injury and are undergoing medical treatment. These benefits end when:
- You reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This means your condition stabilizes and is unlikely to improve with further treatment.
- You return to work.
- Your doctor clears you to work. This can be in a limited capacity.
Return to Work with a Lower-Paying Job
You may be medically cleared but returned to a lower-paying job. You may be eligible for Temporary Partial Disability benefits. These provide two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury and post-injury wages.
Knowing these can help guarantee that you get all of the benefits to which Arizona law entitles you. It is still best to seek legal help from a Workers’ Comp Attorney near you.
