If you currently receive workers’ compensation benefits, you may wonder if you can switch to another job. Before making any employment changes, it is important to understand how your benefits may change.
Finding New Employment
While completely within your rights to look for new employment, it may affect your workers’ compensation benefits. You may see them decrease or even end, as new employment suggests you no longer require job income benefits. If you receive the same income with new employment, you will likely no longer receive income-based workers’ comp benefits. However, your new employment usually does not impact your medical benefits and coverage.
If you make less at your current job than at your previous job, you may still receive partial disability benefits. Always report any income changes, such as a new job or a second job. Failing to report these and receiving benefits calculated on your prior income can be considered insurance fraud.
Vocational Benefits
There are circumstances where you can receive vocational benefits as part of your workers’ compensation benefits. This includes:
- Your workplace injury left you with a permanent limitation
- You are authorized to work in the U.S.
- You are unable to return to your prior job or you can only find employment that pays less than 80% of your salary prior to injury.
Vocational benefits provide training and job placement for those in this situation. Your benefits will pay you for time-loss, and you can learn new skills to find a new job in the workforce.
We Can Walk You Through the Process
Workers’ compensation can be very complex and dependent on your situation. It is important to know all the potential consequences of taking a new job while receiving workers’ compensation. If you need legal counsel to help you with your workers’ compensation benefits, Shlesinger & deVilleneuve Attorneys P.C. can discuss your case. Contact us today with any questions.