Temporary lost wage benefits, or Temporary Total Disability (TTD), are paid if you miss more than seven days at work and are calculated based on your typical weekly wages, as well as a maximum amount determined by average wages in the state. You should receive about two-thirds of your average weekly pay, up to a maximum amount that is currently $725 per week. (The maximum rate is subject to change.) If you are out of work for more than 14 days, you can be paid retroactively for the first seven days that you missed.
To receive lost wage benefits, you’ll need documentation from your doctor stating that you’re unable to work for a period of time or until your condition changes. You may need to go see the doctor again before they will approve you to return to work. Be sure to keep all of your medical appointments for your work injury.
Your doctor has two options – they can write you out of work entirely or put you on “light duty” restrictions. Restrictions are based on your injuries and often involve limits for how much you can lift or how much physical activity you can do. Depending on your work circumstances, you may be able to do paperwork or some sort of desk job until you’re better, or there may be nothing you can really do at work due to your restrictions. If your employer can’t accommodate these restrictions – if there are no “light duty” tasks available – they can pay you lost wage benefits at two-thirds of your usual pay rate until you’ve recovered.