Aside from permanent disability benefits there are two similar benefits that you are entitled to if you cannot return to your job as a result of your industrial injury. The first is a retraining voucher otherwise known as a Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit or voucher ($6000.00 towards retraining) and the second is a Return to Work Supplement ($5000.00 to you). You have to receive the first one to be eligible for the second one.
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB DISPLACEMENT BENEFIT
The Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit applies to dates of injury on and after 1/1/13. The benefit will provide a voucher redeemable for a maximum of $6,000,regardless of the disability rating of the employee. The voucher must be provided to the employee unless the claims administrator makes an offer of regular, modified, or alternative work to the employee within 60 days of receipt of the first report that the employee is Permanent and Stationary from all conditions and there is permanent disability. If this offer is not made, the voucher must be provided within 20 days. The voucher can be used for education-related retraining, licensing or certification fees, counseling (up to 10% of the amount of the voucher), tools, computer equipment up to $1,000, or miscellaneous expenses up to $500. This new voucher may not be settled.
In addition, two new conditions apply to all vouchers issued after 1/1/13 regardless of the date
of injury. First, all vouchers will expire two years after they are furnished to the employee or
five years after the date of injury, whichever is later. Second, the employer is not liable for
compensation for injuries that occur while utilizing the voucher.
RETURN TO WORK SUPPLEMENT
Effective April 15, 2015, regulations went into effect that allows for a return to work supplement of $5000.00 for workers injured on or after 2013. If you received or receive a supplemental job displacement voucher you may apply for a $5000.00 supplement online at: https://www.dir.ca.gov/RTWSP/RTWSPApplication.html
However, you must apply within one year after you received your retraining voucher or by April 15, 2016, whichever is later.
As of 1/1/13 a new Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit goes into effect for dates of injury on and after 1/1/13. The benefit will provide a voucher redeemable for a maximum of $6,000 regardless of the disability rating of the employee. The voucher must be provided to the employee unless the claims administrator makes an offer of regular, modified, or alternative work to the employee within 60 days of receipt of the first report that the employee is Permanent and Stationary from all conditions and there is permanent disability. If this offer is not made, the voucher must be provided within 20 days. The voucher can be used for education-related retraining, licensing or certification fees, counseling (up to 10% of the amount of the voucher), tools, computer equipment up to $1,000, or miscellaneous expenses up to $500. This new voucher may not be settled.
In addition, two new conditions apply to all vouchers issued after 1/1/13 regardless of the date of injury. First, all vouchers will expire two years after they are furnished to the employee or five years after the date of injury, whichever is later. Second, the employer is not liable for compensation for injuries that occur while utilizing the voucher.
