All About the Return-to-Work Supplement Program
If you have suffered an injury on the job or have acquired a work-related illness, the path forward can be exceptionally challenging, but you will likely depend upon the compensation you receive through workers’ compensation to aid your recovery. As such, it’s important to obtain all the benefits available to you, and the Return-to-Work Supplement Program (RTWSP) may be one such benefit. To help ensure that you obtain the full scope of compensation to which you are entitled, work closely with an experienced El Monte worker’s compensation attorney.
The Pre-Requirements for the Return-to-Work Supplement Program
The Return-to-Work Supplement Program is available to employees who suffered an injury at work on or after January 1, 2013, and who received a supplemental job displacement benefit voucher. In other words, the process is exacting, but receiving the additional benefits that you are entitled to can bolster your ability to regain your health and well-being as fully as possible. Supplemental job displacement benefits (SJDB) provide recipients with a voucher that amounts to a promise to help with paying for educational retraining and skill enhancement. This voucher is only available to employees who suffered an injury on the job or who acquired a work-related illness that leads to a classification as a permanent partial disability.
To qualify as a permanent partial disability, the injury or illness must have reached the point that no additional improvement is expected, and a percentage of loss rating is assigned. While it is necessary to be identified as having a permanent partial disability to be eligible for an SJDB voucher, the actual percentage assigned is not a concern.
The Return-to-Work Supplement Program
The RTWSP affords qualified injured employees an additional one-time payment of $5,000 that is intended to supplement lost earnings on the job. Those applicants who are approved for the RTWSP receive their checks in the mail, and the requirements for a successful application include:
- You must have suffered an injury on the job or suffered a work-related illness after January 1, 2013.
- You must have received an SJDB voucher as a result of your work-related injury or illness.
- Your application must be received by the deadline, which is one year from the date that your SJDB voucher was mailed to you.
The Application Process
You can apply for the RTWSP online, and to do so, you’ll need to provide all the following:
- Your SJDB voucher in a .pdf or .tiff format for uploading and attaching, and Proof of Service
- Your adjudication (ADJ) number
- Your workers’ compensation claim number
FAQ
Obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits that you are entitled to can be exceptionally difficult, but being armed with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions can help.
Do I have to apply online?
Yes, you can only apply for the RTWSP online. If you do not have access to a computer and the internet, every Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) office in the state has the resources necessary to help you.
What if I can’t find my ADJ number?
You can access your ADJ number by using the Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) search function. Additionally, your workers’ compensation claim number can be found on any related document you’ve received.
Where is my SDJB Proof of Service?
You can find your Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit voucher Proof of Service on the sixth and final page of the voucher, which must be duly signed by you and which you will need to complete your application.
What if I am denied eligibility for the RTWSP, and I disagree with the decision?
If you disagree with the workers’ compensation decision regarding your eligibility for the RTWSP, you have the right to file an official appeal with any of the Division of Workers’ Compensation district offices within 20 days of receiving the determination. Your appeal must include all the following:
- The ADJ number of the SJDB voucher you included in your original application
- Your full name
- A careful and clear statement of the facts that you are basing your appeal on
An Experienced California Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help Protect Your Rights
If you have suffered an injury on the job, you have a right to compensation and certain benefits, and a focused California workers’ compensation attorney has the experience, drive, and legal insight to help ensure that you receive the array of benefits that you deserve and need to reach your fullest recovery. Don’t wait to reach out.
