Los Angeles Workers’ Comp Attorneys Explain Supplemental Job Displacement Vouchers

Workers compensation benefits for employees who have been injured on the job include medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, and something called a “Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher”. This voucher pays for the injured employees’ retraining.  And, those eligible for these vouchers may also be eligible for an additional payment from the Return to Work Fund.

In this article the experienced Los Angeles area workers’ compensation attorneys at Cantrell Green explain the current Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher and the benefits to which you may be entitled.

History of the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher

Prior to the year 2005, injured workers in California were entitled to a vocational rehabilitation program which included a budget for schooling and/or retraining, as well as equipment and/or tools needed. This program also issued payments to the worker while they were going to school – and included money for transportation, and a counselor to coach them through the retraining and re-entry process. 

Unfortunately – as a result of 2004 workers’ compensation reform – most of those benefits are gone today. Now it has been replaced with the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher Program.

How Much Workers Comp Retraining Money Will I Get?

The value of the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher (SJDV) in California can vary based on several factors, including the date of the injury, the level of permanent disability, and whether the injured worker is participating in a return-to-work program. The voucher values are also adjusted periodically by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) based on changes in the statewide average weekly wage and other economic factors.

Effective January 1, 2013, significant changes were made to the SJDV program under Senate Bill 863 (SB 863). This legislation introduced a flat-rate system for voucher values based on the level of permanent disability:

For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2013, and with a permanent disability rating of less than 15%, the voucher value is set at $6,000.

For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2013, and with a permanent disability rating of 15% or higher, the voucher value is set at $6,000 plus $500 for each percentage point of permanent disability over 15%, up to a maximum of $10,000.

These changes were intended to simplify the voucher system and ensure that injured workers receive adequate support for vocational retraining and education to facilitate their return to suitable employment.

However, it’s essential to note that legislative changes and updates to workers’ compensation laws and regulations may impact the value of the SJDV and eligibility criteria. Therefore, individuals seeking information about the current value of the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher Program and related benefits should consult with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney or the Division of Workers’ Compensation for the most up-to-date information.

Many injured employees may not even know that they are entitled to a voucher if they have been determined to have a permanent disability. Many eligible employees also do not realize that their voucher “expires,” and they end up losing it. It is also important to remember that this Workers Comp Retraining voucher expires within two years if it is not taken – and in five years if it is taken but not used. Clearly, the workers’ comp insurance companies hope that the injured worker will not use the voucher – so that it will expire and they never have to pay out a single penny.

What Can I Use a Workers Comp Retraining Voucher For?

Most injured workers using the Workers Compensation Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher are not pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. And, in fact, the voucher allowance would likely not be enough to cover the full cost of earning a Bachelor’s degree – which can take 4 years or longer.

The vast majority of injured workers probably have a high school diploma (or are looking to obtain a General Educational Development certificate) – and their aim is to rapidly obtain educational or vocational training so they can continue to support their families. If you do not have a High School Diploma you can use the Workers Comp Retraining Voucher to obtain your GED. An injured worker who has not completed high school, and uses the Workers Compensation Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher to obtain a GED certificate is qualifying themselves to apply for significantly more employment opportunities.

You can also use the voucher to cover the cost of vocational training or certification programs. And using the voucher to obtain vocational training or certification in a high demand field – such as electronics, computers, etc. can lead to lucrative new career in a matter of months rather than years.

Workers Compensation Retraining Voucher for GED

The California Workers’ Compensation Voucher program allows workers to use their retraining voucher to obtain their “General Education Diploma” or GED.

Obtaining your GED does not just lead to more and better job opportunities. Statistics show that those with a High School education also have access to better health care, a longer lifespan, greater economic stability, better job satisfaction, more time for participation in sports, leisure & artistic activities, and greater self-confidence! More than 19 million people have passed the GED test.

If you want to pursue education beyond your GED, technical colleges as will four-year colleges and universities will accept a GED certificate for admission.

Workers Comp Retraining Voucher for Vocational Training

Today’s employers want people to hold a diploma – or at least a certification – of some kind.

Electricians, plumbers, mechanics are all in as high demand as ever – and require only vocational training and do not require a four year degree. And new “high tech jobs” can also be obtained through vocational training that may only require one to two year (or less) of training, including:  Network Systems Administrator, Computer Hardware Repair, and Certified IT Professionals.

College Consultants for Workers Comp Retraining Vouchers

The many schools and programs available to injured employees can be overwhelming to sort through, especially for individuals who need to make a fast decision so they can get trained and back to work.  Additionally, there are also many unscrupulous “for-profit” schools and programs that pressure workers to select choices that are inappropriate for them.

However, a trained college consultant can play an important role in helping the injured workers elect the right educational opportunity on which use their Workers Compensation Retraining Voucher. College consultants (referred to as ICAs) have countless resources and extensive knowledge about the training and educational opportunities available for workers seeking to use their Workers Compensation Retraining Voucher. A good ICA can offer vocational assistance, time-saving advice, and much needed guidance.

College consultants with a workers’ compensation background will be able to help the injured worker find both educational and vocational options that are appropriate for the injured worker’s individual abilities, interests, background and personal goals.

Los Angeles Workers Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured at work and have any questions – including questions about the workers compensation benefits for which you qualify – call the experienced Los Angeles area workers’ compensation attorneys at Cantrell Green. Our experienced Los Angeles workers compensation attorneys will help you understand your benefits and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for which you qualify.

Los Angeles Workers Compensation Attorneys:  800-964-8047

Workers Compensation Attorneys serving: Alhambra, Altadena, Anaheim, Arcadia, Avalon, Baldwin Park, Bel Air, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Canyon Country, Carson, Castaic, Century City, Cerritos, Chatsworth, City of Industry, Commerce, Compton, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Downey, Duarte, Eagle Rock, East Los Angeles, El Monte, El Segundo, Encino, Gardena, Garden Grove, Glendale, Hawthorne, Hemet, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Huntington Beach, Inland Empire, Irwindale, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Puente, Laguna Hills, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Maywood, Melrose, Fairfax, Mission Hills, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Montrose, Newhall, North Hollywood, Northridge, Orange County, Oxnard, Palmdale, Palos Verdes, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Porter Ranch, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redondo Beach, Reseda, Rolling Hills, Rosemead, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Stevenson Ranch, Studio City, Sylmar, Temple City, Thousand Oaks, Toluca Lake, Topanga, Torrance, Universal City, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Ventura, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Westminster, Westwood, Whittier, & Woodland Hills.