Obtaining Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits Under California Workers’ Compensation
If you suffered a serious injury at work that has left you unable to return to your job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In addition to coverage for your medical care and temporary lost wages, you could be entitled to other workers’ comp benefits. Workers who can reenter the workforce with additional training or education may be eligible for Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits.
Learn more about your right to Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits below, and get the benefits you are owed by contacting a California board-certified workers’ compensation benefits attorney at Invictus Law.
What Are Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits?
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (SJDB) are a special category of workers’ comp benefits available to workers who suffer from a long-term injury. SJDB are meant for workers whose permanent injury/disability prevents them from returning to their previous job, but who could reenter the workforce in a different position or career with additional training. The benefits are used to cover the expenses incurred in retraining the worker so that they can reenter the workforce.
What Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits Can You Obtain?
Unlike other workers’ comp benefits, the amount of your SJDB is not dependent upon the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, or other variable factors. Instead, SJDB comes in the form of a $6,000 voucher that can be used for education and job retraining expenses.
Workers entitled to SJDB must take the voucher, rather than cash. However, if there is a dispute over coverage, an amount of cash allocable to Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits may be included as part of the settlement.
What Can You Use Your SJDB Voucher For?
The $6,000 SJDB voucher can be used to cover a variety of costs and expenses necessary to retrain the worker for a new position or career. Expenses that may be covered by the voucher include:
- Training costs at California public schools or state-eligible training providers
- Tuition, fees, books, and other education expenses
- Computers and other educational equipment
- Professional license or certification fees
- Exam prep courses or materials
- Resume prep courses or services
- Tools required by an educational or training program
- Vocational counselor services
- Other miscellaneous expenses up to $500
The voucher expires the later of two years from the date of the voucher or five years from the date of injury.
Who is Eligible for Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits?
Workers covered by workers’ comp policies are entitled to SJDB when:
- The worker is injured on the job;
- The worker’s injury causes permanent partial disability, as confirmed by a doctor;
- The worker files for workers’ comp benefits; and
- The employer can’t or won’t provide the employee with permanent, alternative work within the employee’s limitations.
SJDB must be paid to qualifying workers unless the employer offers regular, modified, or alternate work to the employee that will last for at least 12 months. Regular work must be at the same salary, while alternate or modified work must be at least 85% of the employee’s prior salary.
Invictus Law Is Ready to Help You Obtain Your Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits in Orange County and the Inland Empire
If you’ve been seriously hurt during construction, factory work, or in any other position in California and need help collecting fast, secure workers’ compensation benefits, contact a diligent and thorough Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer at Invictus Law at 949-287-5711. We serve clients across Orange County and the Inland Empire, with offices in Orange and Ontario.
