TEXAS Stopping Supplemental Income Benefits With Job Search Services

Job finding services are perfect for those Texas workers’ compensation cases where the injured worker is receiving supplemental income benefits (SIB). These injured workers, or claimants, receiving SIB are REQUIRED to look for and accept suitable employment.

The qualifications for this program are also a perfect match for a typical case that may benefit from job finding services. — Fifteen percent or more impairment rating, physically demanding, relatively high paying blue-collar positions. The limit for benefits is 401 weeks from the date of injury, approximately 7.5 years.

Case Study

Assuming a back injury with impairment rating of 15% or more.

Over 45% of back injuries with a rating of 15% or more go the full 104 weeks before reaching statutory maximum medical improvement (MMI). Then, assuming a MMI impairment rating, impairment income benefits (IIB) are paid for 45 weeks. The injured worker can then apply for SIB, which could continue for an additional 252 weeks of payments before reaching the 401-week limit.

Therefore, using the current average weekly wage of $773, payments of $618.40 would be paid before reaching the 401-week threshold for a total of $155,836.80 in SIB payments to the injured worker. Keep in mind, only 69% of these cases go the 104 weeks before reaching MMI, so the SIB payments could begin earlier, and last longer.

Texas Workers’ Compensation and the SIB Program (from Texas website)

Changes to the Supplemental Income Benefits Application Process – for SIB qualifying periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009.

Supplement Income Benefits (SIB) are income benefits that you apply for quarterly (4 times per year, or every 3 months) and are paid monthly to injured employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.

You may be entitled to SIBs if you meet the following entitlement requirements:

* you have an impairment rating of 15 percent or more;

* you have not returned to work because of your impairment, or you have returned to work but are earning less than 80 percent of the average weekly wage because of the impairment;

* you have made a good faith effort to find a job that matches your abilities to work; and

* you did not take your impairment income benefits in a lump sum payment.

Texas has very specific requirements with regard to the injured workers seeking re-employment. Each time they apply for SIB benefits (quarterly) they are required to supply details of their search for work. (workersxzcompxzkit)

What a Job Finders Service Does For You:

Find the right job for the claimants, set-up the interviews, notify all parties, and follow-up with hiring managers. Efforts end in one of two outcomes — claimant shows a pattern of compliance and get a job or a pattern of non-compliance. In either event, cases can be closed as proof is provided jobs available. Job finder services use a rigorous, detailed process and most are ready to be deposed or testify.

Note from Director: Job finding services are different than voc rehab in that the claimant is not the person looking for the job, the service provider looks for the jobs, and is more motivated to find jobs for injured workers. For those employers that do not want on-site return to work programs, this is a service you should become familiar with.

Katrina Paglierani of National Job Finders can be contacted at: Katrina@NationalJobFinders.com or 1-800-225-4070.

Podcast/Webcast: How To Prevent Fraudulent Workers’ Compensation Claims Click Here http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/

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FREE WC IQ Test: http://www.workerscompkit.com/intro/
WC Books: http://www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/workers-comp-books-manuals.php
TD Calculator: www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php
WC Calculator: http://www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/calculator.php

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers’ comp issues.