What are Income Replacement Benefits?

If you’ve been injured at work, you may be wondering what income replacement benefits you’re entitled to. Income replacement benefits are designed to help workers who are unable to work due to a workplace injury or illness.

Here’s what you need to know about income replacement benefits, including how to qualify for them and how to apply.

What Are Income Replacement Benefits?

Income replacement benefits provide partial wage replacement for workers who are injured on the job and are unable to work. The amount of income you’re entitled to depend on where you work. In most cases, it ranges from 55 to 85 percent of your pre-injury net earnings.

Qualifying for Benefits

To qualify for income replacement benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have been injured at work
• Your doctor must confirm that you are unable to work
• You must have completed the necessary paperwork

How to Apply for Benefits

Applying for income replacement benefits can seem daunting. An employment attorney familiar with workers’ compensation claims can help.

The first step is to notify your employer that you’ve been injured at work. Once you’ve done that, your employer should provide you with the necessary paperwork. Once you’ve completed the forms, return them to your employer so they can forward them to your state’s workers’ compensation board or commission.

It’s important to note that there are time limits in place for applying for benefits. This is why it’s so important to not delay getting the process started.

If you have any questions about whether you qualify or how to apply, you should contact your state’s workers’ compensation board or commission for more information. Your attorney can also help you understand the various deadlines and ensure you don’t miss any of them when filing.

Being injured at work can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. But knowing what benefits you’re eligible for can help ease some of that stress.

If you have any further questions about your eligibility or the application process, contact Shugarman & Mehring at 410.783.4200 or toll-free at 888.342.7200.