Senate Bill 863 created the Return to Work (RTW) Supplement Program annual fund of $120 million. This fund is supposed to provide supplemental payments to workers whose permanent disability benefits are disproportionately low compared to earning losses. If eligible an injured worker will receive payment of $5,000 from the fund.
To be eligible for the RTW the industrial injury must be on or after 1/1/2013 and the injured worker must have received a supplemental job displacement benefit (SJDB) voucher. An application for RTW payments must be within one year from April 13, 2015 or within a year from when the SJDB was served on the injured worker, whichever is later. Obviously this timeline is moving fast for many workers. You do not want to miss out on your opportunity for fund payments!
Applications for RTW payments must be done electronically which requires a computer, scanner and printer. Department of Workers’ Compensation District Offices have this equipment available to injured workers. The Information and Assistance Office at your local WCAB may also assist with the applications. Instructions and online forms may be found at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/RTWSP/RTWSP.html.
Our office will refer you to a vocational counselor to help you with the application process. This will make the process much easier than accomplishing it on your own.
