California Workers’ Compensation Benefits Chart 2026
Compare official 2026 temporary and permanent disability limits, job-displacement benefits, medical mileage reimbursement, and death-benefit reference amounts—with the date that controls each figure.
California workers’ compensation benefits: 2026 quick reference
The same calendar year does not control every entry. TTD, PD, and SJDB figures are generally organized by date of injury. Mileage uses the date of eligible travel, regardless of injury date. Death benefits depend on the injury date, dependency findings, and other claim facts.
| Benefit or reimbursement | 2026 reference amount | Controlling date or condition |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary total disability (TTD) | $264.61 minimum to $1,764.11 maximum weekly | Injuries on or after January 1, 2026 |
| Permanent partial disability (PD), ratings 1–99% | $160 minimum to $290 maximum weekly | 2026 injury; actual rate and duration require claim facts |
| Permanent total disability (100%) | Paid for life at the applicable temporary-disability rate; qualifying rates are adjusted for SAWW increases | Rating, injury date, and annual adjustment rules |
| Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit | $6,000 nontransferable voucher | Eligibility rules for qualifying permanent partial disability and work offers |
| Return-to-Work Supplement | $5,000 one-time payment | Qualifying post-2012 injury and SJDB voucher; separate timely application |
| Medical or medical-legal mileage | 72.5¢ per mile January 1–June 30; 76¢ per mile from July 1 | Date of eligible travel, not injury date |
| Burial expenses | Up to $10,000 | Injuries on or after January 1, 2013 |
California TTD minimum and maximum rates, 2021–2026
California DWC generally describes temporary disability as two-thirds of gross wages lost while recovering, limited by the applicable statutory minimum and maximum. Report relevant wages, overtime, tips, commissions, bonuses, lodging or food value, and earnings from other jobs held at the injury date.
| Injury year | AWW at or below minimum band | Minimum weekly TTD | Two-thirds AWW band | Maximum weekly TTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $396.92 | $264.61 | $396.93–$2,646.17 | $1,764.11 |
| 2025 | $378.05 | $252.03 | $378.06–$2,520.43 | $1,680.29 |
| 2024 | $364.29 | $242.86 | $364.30–$2,428.72 | $1,619.15 |
| 2023 | $364.29 | $242.86 | $364.30–$2,428.72 | $1,619.15 |
| 2022 | $346.42 | $230.95 | $346.43–$2,309.56 | $1,539.71 |
| 2021 | $305.16 | $203.44 | $305.17–$2,034.47 | $1,356.31 |
For a 2026 injury, an AWW inside the middle band is multiplied by two-thirds. AWW above the published band reaches the weekly maximum; figures below the minimum band generally produce the minimum, subject to eligibility and claim-specific rules. The 2026 statewide average weekly wage is $1,789, a 4.98826% increase used for the annual adjustment.
Permanent disability weekly limits for 2026 injuries
Permanent disability is not calculated from the weekly limit alone. A physician reports impairment after the condition stabilizes; California’s rating process can also apply occupation, age, apportionment, and other statutory rules. DWC then uses the rating and payment schedule to determine the applicable benefit.
| Permanent disability percentage | 2026 minimum weekly rate | 2026 maximum weekly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1–54% | $160 | $290 |
| 55–69% | $160 | $290 |
| 70–99% | $160 | $290 |
The repeated dollar range does not mean every rating pays the same total. The rating affects the number of payment weeks and may affect other benefits. A 100% rating is permanent total disability, which DWC describes as payable for life at the temporary-disability rate; for qualifying injuries on or after January 1, 2003, increases in the SAWW can adjust the benefit annually.
SJDB voucher and Return-to-Work Supplement
$6,000 SJDB voucher
For qualifying injuries on or after January 1, 2013, the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit is a nontransferable voucher for approved retraining and skill-enhancement expenses.
Eligible uses can include tuition, fees, licensing or certification tests, required tools, computer equipment up to $1,000, miscellaneous expenses up to $500, and vocational or placement assistance within DWC limits.
Review official SJDB rules →$5,000 RTW supplement
A worker injured on or after January 1, 2013 who received an SJDB voucher may qualify for a separate one-time Return-to-Work Supplement payment.
DWC must receive the application within one year from the date the voucher was served. The complete voucher, proof of service, ADJ number, and claim number are among the required information.
Review RTWSP eligibility →The $6,000 voucher and $5,000 supplement are different benefits. The voucher is restricted to authorized categories; the supplement requires its own application and eligibility decision.
California medical mileage reimbursement rates
Reasonable transportation expenses for eligible medical and medical-legal travel can include mileage, parking, and bridge tolls. The rate follows the travel date, even if the injury occurred in an earlier year.
| Eligible travel date | Rate per mile | Example: 40 eligible miles |
|---|---|---|
| On or after July 1, 2026 | $0.76 | $30.40 |
| January 1–June 30, 2026 | $0.725 | $29.00 |
| 2025 | $0.70 | $28.00 |
| 2024 | $0.67 | $26.80 |
| 2023 | $0.655 | $26.20 |
Keep the appointment date, origin and destination, purpose, round-trip miles, parking or toll receipts, and a copy of the submitted mileage form. Use the current official form because DWC updates it when the rate changes.
California death benefits and burial expenses
Death benefits may be paid to a spouse, children, or other qualifying dependents when an employee dies from a work-related injury or illness. Dependency can be total or partial and is a legal determination; the chart below is a reference, not an eligibility decision.
| Dependency category | Reference amount for injuries on or after January 1, 2013 |
|---|---|
| One total dependent | $250,000 |
| Two total dependents | $290,000 |
| Three or more total dependents | $320,000 |
| One total dependent plus one or more partial dependents | $250,000 plus four times annual support for partial dependents, not exceeding $290,000 |
| One or more partial dependents | Eight times annual support, not exceeding $250,000 |
| Reasonable burial expenses | Up to $10,000 |
DWC states that where there are totally dependent minors, payments can continue after the listed amount until the youngest minor reaches age 18; qualifying disabled minors can receive benefits for life. Those continuing payments are subject to the rules described by DWC.
DWC publishes a deadline framework tied to the death date, injury date, and last furnishing of benefits, plus an outer 240-week limit from injury. Because the interaction is fact-sensitive, contact I&A or a qualified attorney promptly rather than calculating the deadline from this table.
Frequently asked questions
Are the 2026 TTD limits based on the payment date?
The DWC table organizes TTD minimums and maximums by date of injury. Do not substitute the check date for the injury-year rule.
Does the TTD minimum always apply to a low-wage worker?
The chart shows the official wage bands, but eligibility, employment status, part-time or irregular work, actual wage evidence, and claim-specific rules can affect the result. Use the wage and TTD calculators as estimates only.
Is $290 the total permanent disability benefit?
No. It is the published maximum weekly PD rate for the listed 2026 rating bands. Total PD depends on the final rating, payment weeks, earnings, apportionment, and other claim factors.
Can the SJDB voucher be exchanged for $6,000 cash?
No. It is a nontransferable voucher for approved expenses. The separate Return-to-Work Supplement is a cash payment for qualifying voucher recipients who submit a timely application.
Which mileage rate applies to a 2024 injury with treatment in August 2026?
The July 1, 2026 rate applies to otherwise eligible travel in August 2026 because mileage follows the travel date, not the injury date.
Does this chart show medical treatment limits?
No. Medical treatment is not summarized as one cash benefit amount. Authorization, MPN, treatment guidelines, utilization review, IMR, and claim status can affect care.
Can I add all figures to estimate a settlement?
No. The categories are not automatically payable together, and several are not settlement components or cash benefits. Settlement analysis requires the medical and procedural record and the exact rights being resolved.
Official sources
- California DWC workers’ compensation benefits — TTD and PD tables, SJDB, SAWW, mileage, burial expenses, and death-benefit amounts.
- DWC 2026 TTD rate announcement — $264.61 minimum, $1,764.11 maximum, and the 4.98826% SAWW increase.
- DWC July 1, 2026 mileage announcement — increase to 76 cents per mile.
- DWC January 1, 2026 mileage announcement — 72.5 cents per mile for the first half of 2026.
- California DWC temporary disability — wage-loss percentage, wage categories, payment frequency, and common ending events.
- California DWC permanent disability — rating factors and benefit limitations.
- California DWC Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit — voucher purpose and permitted uses.
- California Return-to-Work Supplement Program — $5,000 payment, eligibility, documents, and filing deadline.
Rates last checked: August 25, 2026. California DWC labels its consolidated benefits table July 2026. Verify the current agency page before relying on a figure and report a possible issue through the contact page.