Temporary
Disability Benefits

Do I Need a Lawyer to Get Temporary Disability Benefits?

On paper, workers’ comp in Sacramento looks like a safety net. In reality, it can feel more like a maze. The insurance company’s job is to pay out as little as possible, which means injured workers often run into frustrating roadblocks: delayed checks, sudden cut-offs, claims that you’re “ready to work” when you’re clearly not, or decisions that make your benefits smaller than they should be.

These issues aren’t personal — they’re part of how the system operates. But when you’re in pain and worried about bills, chasing down missing or reduced benefits is the last thing you need. That’s where having my firm makes a real difference. We can:

• Cut through confusing paperwork and deadlines.

• Make sure your medical reports support the benefits you need.

• Push back if the insurance company delays, underpays, or stops your checks too soon.

• Keep you informed in plain language, not legal jargon.

• Plan for what comes next, especially if your injury shifts from temporary to permanent disability.

Our job is to handle the back-and-forth so you can focus on what really matters: healing and getting your life back on track.

What Do Temporary Disability Benefits Cover?

When you file a workers’ comp claim, one of the most important benefits is temporary disability (TTD). It’s not hard to see why: they help you keep up with basic expenses while you recover. In order to do that, TTD benefits usually cover:

• About two-thirds of the wages you were earning before your injury, up to limits set by California law.
  
  

With that said, it’s not completely automatic. A doctor has to confirm that your injury prevents you from doing your regular job, or that you can’t work at all.

That obviously opens the door to a lot of subjectivity, but officially, TTD benefits continue until:

• You’re cleared to go back to work.
• Your doctor says you’ve reached “maximum medical improvement”—meaning you’ve healed as much as you’re expected to.
  
  

While TTD benefits don’t replace your full paycheck, they’re often what helps you and your family stay afloat while you go through the process of getting back to work. But it’s important to understand that they don’t last forever. Typically, they last up to 104 weeks. So then, it’s important to understand how you go about getting them–and making sure you get the most out of them.

How Do I Actually Get Temporary Disability Benefits?

Even if you know you can get temporary disability benefits when you file for workers’ comp, it still doesn’t necessarily tell you how you go about getting them. Thankfully, this part isn’t so confusing–you simply file the claim. But specifically, here’s how the process works:

• First, tell your employer about your injury right away. California gives you up to 30 days, but waiting can complicate things. The sooner you report it, the sooner your benefits can start moving.

• Next, fill out the workers’ comp claim form (DWC-1) your employer gives you. Keep a copy for yourself — it’s proof that you filed. This form officially opens your claim and puts the insurance company on notice.

• From there, your doctor’s word matters most. A note from your doctor saying you can’t work (or can’t work without restrictions your employer can’t meet) is what actually triggers TTD benefits. Without this, the insurer won’t pay.

• Finally, once the insurance company knows you’re unable to work, they’re supposed to start sending payments within 14 days. After that, checks usually come every two weeks, similar to a paycheck.
  
  

In a perfect world, that would be it. But in reality, insurance companies sometimes delay payments, cut them off early, or argue you can return to work before you’re ready. That complicates things, but you do have some control–and it’s grounded in the information and evidence you can gather.

What Information Can Strengthen My Temporary Disability Benefits?

At the end of the day, your TTD benefits come down to one thing: the information the insurance company has in front of them. They don’t see how much pain you’re in or how hard it is to get through the day—they just look at paperwork, reports, and numbers. The clearer and stronger that information is, the better your claim holds up.

• Medical records. Your medical records are the backbone of your benefits. They confirm your diagnosis, spell out your work restrictions, and explain if you can return in any limited capacity. If they’re weak or incomplete, the insurance company has an easy excuse to delay, underpay, or stop your checks.

• Pay records. Your payments are based on your average weekly wages before the injury. That means pay stubs, timesheets, or even tax forms matter. If the insurer gets the math wrong—and they often do—you can end up with smaller checks than you should.

• Employer and insurance communication. Every email, letter, or claim form adds to the paper trail. If benefits suddenly stop or get disputed, having those records makes it much easier to push back and show where things went off track.

• Consistency of information. This one is easy to overlook. If what you tell your doctor doesn’t line up with what’s on your claim form or what you said to the insurer, it can create doubt. But when everything matches, your claim is harder for them to poke holes in.
  
  

It’s not about burying yourself in paperwork—it’s about having the right details in place. Solid medical reports, accurate wage info, and a clean record of communication can be the difference between smooth payments and constant headaches. And if we need to step in for you, those same details give us the leverage to keep your benefits on track.

Talk to a Sacramento Workers’ Comp Attorney About Temporary Disability Benefits

If you’re out of work after an injury and think you should be getting temporary disability benefits, don’t wait around hoping the insurance company will “do the right thing.” These benefits depend on medical reports, wage records, and strict timelines—and if anything is missing or unclear, your payments can stall.

My Sacramento workers’ compensation team at the Law Office of Alice A. Strömbom makes sure you’re not left guessing. We’ll walk you through whether you’re eligible, what paperwork actually matters, and how your injury and work restrictions fit into the rules. You’ll never be left in the dark about what’s happening with your claim. Set up a free consultation today to keep your benefits on track.