- Enter your Average Weekly Wage and compensation rate.
- Pick a state preset or input weekly caps directly.
- Set start and end dates to define the projection window.
- Add waiting days and the retroactive threshold if needed.
- Include weekly offsets like earnings or wage continuation.
- Review results, then export CSV or PDF as required.
This calculator estimates Temporary Total Disability benefits using a common structure:
- Base Weekly Benefit = AWW × Compensation Rate × Disability %
- Capped Weekly = clamp(Base Weekly, Min Rate, Max Rate)
- Weekly Payable = max(0, Capped Weekly − Offsets)
- Gross Total = Σ Weekly Payable
- Net Total = Gross − (Withholding %) − (Attorney Fee %)
- Present Value = Σ Payable / (1 + weekly discount)^(week-1)
Waiting periods and retroactive rules vary by jurisdiction. This model treats waiting days as unpaid unless the retroactive threshold is met.
| Scenario | AWW | Rate | Caps | Offsets | Weeks | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example A | $1,000 | 66.67% | $0–$1,200 | $0 | 6 | $4,800 |
| Example B | $1,450 | 66.67% | $150–$1,100 | $100 | 10 | $9,000 |
| Example C | $780 | 60.00% | $0–$900 | $50 | 8 | $3,300 |
Benefit Inputs and Wage Foundations
Temporary Total Disability benefits start with a reliable wage basis. This calculator can use a direct AWW value, an hourly method, a salary method, or a multi-week wage history average. The selected approach should mirror how pay was actually earned and documented, including regular hours, approved overtime, and eligible bonuses when applicable. For history entries, enter the same units each week and exclude one-time reimbursements to prevent overstating earnings.
Caps, Waiting Rules, and Retroactive Pay
Most jurisdictions apply minimum and maximum weekly limits. You can load an example preset or enter custom caps, then test whether caps apply before or after offsets. Waiting periods delay payments at the start of disability, while retroactive thresholds may restore those withheld days once the absence exceeds a defined duration. If a preset is used, treat it as a placeholder and confirm current statutory amounts before relying on results.
Offsets and Coordination With Other Income
Real claims often involve overlapping income sources. Weekly offsets in this tool include partial earnings, wage continuation, unemployment, SSDI, pensions, and other insurance credits. Offsets reduce payable benefits but never drive payments below zero. Modeling them explicitly helps explain why two workers with similar wages may receive different weekly checks.
Scheduling, Delays, and Present Value
The schedule converts the date range into payable weeks, optionally prorating partial weeks and enforcing a maximum-week limit. A payment delay can shift pay dates forward and can be paired with interest and penalty what-if settings for late payment analysis. A discount rate estimates present value, supporting settlement discussions and cash-flow planning. Rounding can be set to cents or dollars for consistency.
Using Exports and Charts for Decisions
After calculation, the chart shows weekly payable amounts alongside cumulative totals, making policy caps and offsets easier to spot. CSV export supports auditing and spreadsheet review, while PDF export provides a clean report for internal files. Use multiple scenarios to compare return-to-work earnings, changing disability percentages, and alternative cap timing assumptions.
FAQs
1) What does AWW mean and which method should I choose?
AWW is average weekly wage, the base used to calculate weekly benefits. Choose the method that matches your records: direct AWW, hourly rate, salary, or wage history. Use consistent documentation for each input.
2) How do waiting days and the retro threshold work?
Waiting days are treated as unpaid at the beginning of disability. If the total disability duration meets the retro threshold, this model makes those waiting days payable. Verify exact local rules because definitions and triggers vary.
3) Should weekly caps apply before or after offsets?
Some rules cap the gross weekly benefit first, then subtract offsets. Others subtract offsets first and cap the remainder. Use the cap timing option to compare both approaches and document which one matches your jurisdiction.
4) Which offsets can reduce payable benefits in this calculator?
You can model weekly reductions from other earnings, wage continuation, unemployment, SSDI, pensions, and other insurance credits. The tool will not allow negative payments, so offsets can reduce a week to zero but not below.
5) Why does the calculator show present value?
Present value discounts future weekly payments to today’s dollars using an annual discount rate. It helps compare settlement offers with ongoing payments and supports cash-flow planning when benefits extend for many weeks.
6) How do CSV and PDF exports help in practice?
CSV exports the full schedule for auditing, filtering, and spreadsheet checks. PDF creates a clean report suitable for sharing and filing. Recalculate with different scenarios to create side-by-side documentation.