Answers to common questions about your workers' compensation career retraining benefits.
Supplemental job displacement benefits, also known as Training Vouchers, are the key to successful retraining as an injured worker. New rules for workers’ compensation have replaced traditional educational benefits with a new training voucher system, causing confusion for many injured workers.
Click on the subject areas and you will find simple answers to the most common questions about the voucher system and voucher process tips about maximizing the value of your benefits, or call the Voucher Information Hotline at 1-888-EZ METHOD to get answers to your questions.
Workers' Compensation Basics
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides special benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries and illnesses. In general, an employee with a work-related illness or injury can get workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault – the employee, the employer, a co-worker, a customer, or some other third party. In exchange for these guaranteed benefits, employees usually do not have the right to sue the employer in court for damages for those injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits and conditions for eligibility differ from state to state. In California, an injured worker may be eligible for one or more of the following:
Medical Benefits No-cost medical treatment for all medical care related to the injury.
Disability Benefits Partial replacement of wages lost due to the injury (up to 2/3 with a maximum of $728/week). If the injured person is able to return to the workforce, he/she will receive temporary disability benefits. If he/she is unable to return to the workforce, he/she may be eligible for permanent disability benefits.
Death Benefits If the injury is fatal, the burial expenses may be covered by workers’ compensation (up to $5,000) and payments may be made to relatives for a period of time.
Vocational Rehabilitation If an injured worker is unable to perform his/her previous job, he/she may receive no-cost career retraining and job assistance (otherwise called “vocational rehabilitation”).
For persons injured before January 1, 2004, full services will be provided, including the services of a rehabilitation counselor who will help the worker plan the retraining and find employment.
For persons injured on or after January 1, 2004, this benefit is provided in the form of a retraining voucher worth up to $10,000 (often called a “supplemental job displacement benefit”). Unlike traditional vocational rehabilitation, the voucher program often requires the injured person to seek out a career, school and job on his/her own.
How Voucher Works
What is a Retraining Voucher?
Summary – A retraining voucher, or “Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit,” is a workers’ compensation benefit that helps injured workers cover the cost of training for a new career.
History – Prior to January 1, 2004, an injured worker deemed unable to return to work was given a vocational rehabilitation benefit of $16,000. This money was used to cover the cost of a special counselor who assisted with the retraining process, the cost of a retraining program at an approved school, and a weekly allowance (VRMA) to help with living expenses while the injured worker trained to become re-employed.
For workers injured on or after January 1, 2004, these benefits are no longer in effect. Instead, the injured worker is supplied with a voucher (or “Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit”) that can be used to cover the cost of training at an approved school. The voucher entitles the holder to as little as $4,000 worth of education or as much as $10,000. A small portion of this amount (up to 10%) can also be used to obtain the services of a vocational rehabilitation counselor .
Difficulties – Unlike traditional vocational rehabilitation, the voucher program often requires injured persons to seek out careers, schools and jobs on their own. This lack of formal guidance has made the retraining process difficult for many injured workers. To ease this difficulty, injured workers may consult vocational rehabilitation counselors or seek career guidance and job assistance through the education providers they have chosen.
Am I Eligible for a Retraining Voucher?
To find out whether you are eligible for a retraining voucher, determine if the following statements apply to you:
My injury occurred on the job or during a job-related activity.
My injury occurred on or after January 1, 2004.
I am permanently unable to do my former job, but am able to do other jobs not offered by my previous employer (this is called “permanent partial disability”).
I am not able to return to my former occupation within 60 days of receiving my last temporary disability payment.
I have not received a “Notice of Offer of Modified or Alternative Work” (Form DWC-AD 10133.53) from my claims administrator.
If all of these statements are applicable to you, you are probably eligible for the retraining voucher. However, if one or more do not apply, you may not be eligible.
When Will I Receive My Voucher?
If you are eligible for the voucher and you haven't settled your eligibility, you will receive the voucher from the claims administrator within 25 calendar days from the date your disability award is issued by the workers' compensation judge at the local Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
I Have My Voucher: What Now?
Your voucher may be used to pay for the training program of your choice from any state approved or accredited school. It covers tuition, fees, books, and any other expenses required for the program. In most cases, the funding goes directly to the school and you pay nothing. However, if you prefer, you may pay on your own and receive reimbursement at a later time.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1) Choose an occupation with physical demands that will be appropriate for you (for help with this step, you may call the Voucher Information Hotline).
Step 2) Contact an approved school that offers training for the occupation you have selected.
Step 3) Fill out and sign the voucher form and fax/mail it to the school to begin your enrollment.
How Do I Fill Out the Voucher?
When you receive the voucher, you will need to ensure that all necessary blanks have been completed. Specifically:
The claims administrator should have completed lines 1 - 8. You are then responsible for completing lines 9 - 19.
Lines 9 - 12 must be completed when using a vocational return-to -work counselor (or VRTWC. See “Do I Need a Rehabilitation Counselor?”). If you are not consulting a counselor, you do not need to complete lines 9 - 12.
The school you select for training will assist you in completing lines 13 - 19 on the voucher.
When you have completed the voucher, you must sign and date it before sending it back to the school or, if you are seeking reimbursement, to the claims administrator. If you have already paid and are seeking reimbursement through the voucher, you must also attach any receipts or invoices when submitting the voucher to your insurer (payment should arrive within 45 days).
For additional assistance, call the Voucher Information Hotline at 1-888-EZ METHOD.
How Much Is My Voucher Worth?
The amount of your voucher is determined by a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge or by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. They will review your case and give you an award rating. Based on the final rating they give, your voucher can be as high as the amounts indicated in the table below:
Disability Rating
Voucher Amount
Less than 15%
$ 4,000
16% - 25%
$ 6,000
26% - 49%
$ 8,000
50% and 99%
$ 10,000
Note: The voucher itself is not a cash benefit and has no monetary value. It can only be used to receive education and career counseling.
What is Covered By My Voucher?
The voucher is designed to cover all costs required for your retraining (up to your maximum amount). This includes:
Tuition for courses and/or skill enhancement
Fees and Taxes
Books and Materials
Computers (if necessary for the program you have chosen)
Vocational Counseling Services (up to 10% of the voucher amount)
Shipping Fees (for distance learning courses)
Some insurers may restrict coverage of certain items if they are not deemed necessary for the training program you have chosen. If you are unsure, contact your school or your insurer for assistance.
What if the Voucher Amount is Not Enough?
If your voucher amount is not high enough to cover the program you have selected, you may consider the following options:
You may qualify for additional assistance through the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Some schools will allow you to combine these benefits with your voucher in order to cover excess costs. You may call the Voucher Information Hotline for more information about DOR eligibility.
Student Loans. Ask your chosen school about student loan and payment plan options.
How Long is My Voucher Valid? Does it Expire?
Once it is received, the voucher is a permanent entitlement and has no expiration date. It remains open for use until all funds have been spent.
How Do I “Settle” My Voucher?
The voucher, unlike some other workers’ compensation benefits, is not a cash benefit. However, under some circumstances an attorney can help you settle your rights to the voucher for a lump-sum cash payment. This payment may not be equal to the full voucher amount and must be reviewed and approved by a Workers' Compensation Administrative Law Judge.
Keep in mind that, in the long run, a cash settlement is often less beneficial than using your voucher for career retraining. By helping you obtain the skills and education necessary to re-enter the workforce, the voucher provides a genuine long-term solution. In contrast, a cash settlement by itself offers only a small, short-term financial boost.
Will I Receive Help With Living Expenses During My Retraining?
(Will I still receive a VRMA?)
Living expenses—including the Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance (VRMA)—are not covered by the training voucher and are therefore unavailable to those injured on or after January 1, 2004.
Career and Education Options
What Kind of Occupation Should I Pursue?
Job retraining enables you to enter the workforce in a new capacity. The position might be a little different than what you did before, or require skills that are entirely new to you. When choosing a career, it’s important to find out everything you can about a new job. At a minimum, consider the following:
Is this profession physically appropriate? For example, if you have a back injury, a job requiring heavy lifting may conflict with your physical limitations.
Do I have the basic skills for the job? For example, many occupations require a certain level of proficiency in math and reading.
What is the employment outlook for the occupation? In most cases, it is best to choose an occupation that has openings available in your area. There are many online resources for finding information about job availability.
How do I Choose a School?
Once you have chosen an occupation that you would like to pursue, the next step is to find a school for your training. The following should be considered:
Can the school accept your voucher? To accept the voucher, the school must be either (a) accredited, (b) state approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE), (c) or approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If in doubt, call the school and ask whether they will accept your voucher or call 1-888-EZ METHOD.
Does the school have a good history and a solid reputation in the program you are considering?
Is the school convenient for you? If it is a live school, such as a community college, ensure that it is conveniently located, accessible (considering your injury), and that it offers a schedule that will fit your needs. For many injured workers, a distance-education school can provide a better alternative and offer the same quality of training.
Does the school provide career guidance and job assistance? These are often not readily available to voucher holders and should be sought when selecting a school (especially if you are not using a return-to-work counselor).
Can I Use the Voucher at an Out of State School?
Yes. You can use the voucher to pay an out of state private provider of education-related retraining or skill enhancement. Just make sure they are approved by the governing state agency similarly to the way California providers are approved.
Can I Use My Voucher at More Than One School?
Yes. As long as the total voucher amount has not been used, your voucher can be used any number of times at any number of schools. You may continue using your voucher until the entire amount has been depleted.
Do I Need to Receive the Voucher Before Beginning My Training?
No. If you prefer, you may pay your educational expenses up-front and submit your receipts and enrollment information to your insurer for reimbursement. Contact your insurer for more information about timing and coverage limitations.
Do I Need a Rehabilitation Counselor?
If you are unsure about the kinds of occupations you are likely to succeed in, it is recommended that you use the services of a Qualified Rehabilitation Counselor.
A Rehabilitation Counselor can provide many valuable services to help you with your retraining, including:
Expert advice about the careers you are interested in.
Assessment testing to help you select an occupation that will be appropriate for you for your skills and physical challenges.
Assistance with finding and securing a job upon the completion of your retraining.
Assistance getting through the Workers’ Compensation voucher system.
The counselor will collect up to 10% of your voucher amount as a fee for his/her services, leaving 90% of the voucher funds still available for educational expenses. Although the services of a Vocational Return to Work Counselor (VRTWC) are often recommended, they are not mandatory. To locate a counselor, call the California Division of Workers’ Compensation at (800) 736-7401 or see the list of counselors at the DWC website: www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/SJDB/VRTWC_list.pdf
Resources
Information Resource Page
In order to assist you with all of your training voucher needs, we have created an information resource page that covers many aspects of the voucher process. Please contact these organizations for further information.
Free Support Services for the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (Training Voucher)
Voucher Information Hotline (888-EZ METHOD). A hotline available 8 am – 8 pm PST (Mon.-Fri.) to answer your questions about the new voucher system or to request additional resources. The line is free of charge to all users.
Voucher Handbook. “Training Vouchers: A Guide for CA Injured Workers,” will be mailed upon request, free of charge. This 12-page booklet offers simple, straightforward answers to frequently asked questions, guidance for choosing a career and a school, and references to regulations to ensure that all parties are in compliance (California Code of Regulations Title 8 Sections 10133.51-10133.60). Counselors, attorneys and insurance professionals may request multiple copies of the handbook free of charge for distribution to clients.
Free On-Site Training Seminars. The seminar is designed for all industry professionals, including counselors, attorneys, insurance adjusters and educational staff. Topics include: new forms and regulations, frequently asked questions, compliance and deadlines. The seminar is followed by an open question-and-answer forum to discuss common situations that can occur with the processing of the supplemental job displacement benefit. To date, nearly two dozen agencies have requested the training seminar, so availability may be limited. Call to reserve a date today!
If you have questions or would like additional information on any of these free support services please call Toll Free888-925-4283.
California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Resources
Training Voucher Form (DWC-AD 10133.57) – PDF This form is used to process your training voucher benefits. It includes sections for the injured worker, the claims administrator, and the rehabilitation counselor (if applicable). http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/forms/DWC_AD10133_57_Form.pdf
Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill - SB 899 – PDF Information about the bill passed on April 19, 2004 (full text). Click here to download PDF
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