The benefits are limited to the value of that permanent disability which exceeds the value of the two affected members separately. The benefits are not payable until after the employer, or insurance carrier, has completed payment of benefits for the second permanent partial disability. An employee who believes that they are entitled to benefits from this fund should contact the State of Iowa's treasurer's office to obtain a claim form. An additional thirteen weeks may be paid if approved by the industrial commissioner. Death benefits are payable to the dependents of the employee.
Benefits are first payable to the surviving spouse for life or until remarriage.
Dependent children are entitled to the benefit until they reach age 18, or age 25 if they are actually dependent. Others may qualify, if there is a showing of actual dependency. Upon remarriage, if there are no dependent children, the surviving spouse is entitled to a two-year lump sum settlement. The law is written to encourage prompt payment of workers' compensation benefits so that the employee will not suffer any undue hardship. The law provides for weekly payments of disability benefits, beginning on the eleventh day of disability.