An employee injured on or after Jan. 1, 2013, whose employer does not offer suitable regular, modified or alternative work within 60 days from receipt by the claims administrator of a medical treatment or medical evaluation report that the employee’s injury caused permanent partial disability may also qualify for the supplemental job displacement benefit (SJDB). The benefit comes in the form of a non-transferable voucher, which is equivalent to a total amount of $6000, regardless of the level of permanent disability.  The voucher can be used for training at a California public school or any other provider listed on the state’s eligible training provider list. It can also be used to pay licensing or certification and testing fees, to purchase tools required by a training course, to purchase computer equipment of up to $1,000 and to reimburse up to $500 in miscellaneous expenses. Up to 10 percent or $600 may be used to pay for the services of a licensed placement agency or vocational counselor. No more than 10 percent of the value of the voucher can be used for vocational & return to work counseling.

For injuries on or after Jan. 1, 2013, the voucher is due within 20 calendar days from the expiration of time for making an offer of regular, modified, or alternative work. The job must pay no less than 85 percent of the worker’s earnings at the time of the injury, and must be expected to last at least 12 months.

If issued on or after Jan. 1, 2013, the voucher will expire within two years of being issued or five years from the date of injury, whichever comes later.

The voucher can be used for training at a California public school or any other provider listed on the state’s eligible training provider list. It can also be used to pay licensing or certification and testing fees, to purchase tools required by a training course, to purchase computer equipment of up to $1,000 and to reimburse up to $500 in miscellaneous expenses. Up to 10 percent, or $600 may be used to pay for the services of a licensed placement agency or vocational counselor. No more than 10 percent of the value of the voucher can be used for vocational & return to work counseling.

Injured workers with a date of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2013 and who have received a SJDB voucher for said injury may be eligible for a one-time return-to-work supplement of $5000. All vouchers must be accompanied by a cover sheet prepared by the claims administrator containing notice of the Return-to-Work Supplement Program. Find out more at the Return-to-Work Supplement Program page.

• Chapter 8: Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits
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