The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has announced the 2019 minimum and maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rates. The minimum will increase from $182.29/week in 2018 to $187.71/week in 2019, and the maximum will increase from $1,215.27/week in 2018 to $1,251.38/week in 2019. Changes are effective January 1, 2019.
The TTD rate increase for any given year is equal to the year’s percentage increase in State Average Weekly Wage — the average weekly wage paid to employees under unemployment insurance for the year ending March 31st prior to the injury. From March 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018, California’s State Average Weekly Wage was reported to have increased 2.971% (from $1,206.92 in 2017 to $1,242.78 in 2018) — thus the TTD minimum and maximum for 2019 have increased 2.971%.
Additionally, workers receiving Life Pension or Permanent Total Disability benefits who have been injured on or after January 1, 2003 are entitled to have their respective weekly rates adjusted according to the State Average Weekly Wage increase.