Workers Comp Job Finding Blog

Texas Workers Compensation Cases Involving SIBS Payments

Job Finding Services are perfect for those Texas Workers compensation cases where the injured worker is receiving SIBS.  Those injured workers, or claimants, receiving SIBS are REQUIRED to look for and accept suitable employment. 

The qualifications for this program are a perfect match for a typical case that benefits from Job finding services.  15% or more impairment rating, physically demanding, relatively high paying blue collar positions.  

The limit for benefits is 401 weeks from the date of injury, approximately 7.5 years.  

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/wcreg/2-1.html

Case Example:

Assuming a back injury with impairment rating of 15% or more.

Over 45% of back injuries with a rating of 15% or more go the full 104 weeks before reaching statuatory MMI.  Then, assuming this impairment rating, IIB benefits would be paid for 45 weeks.  Then the injured worker can apply for SIBS, which could continue for an additional  252 weeks of payments before reaching the 401 week limit. 

Therefore, using the current average weekly wage of 773/wk,  payments of 618.40 would be paid before reaching the 401 week threshold.  A total of  $155,836.80 in SIBS payments to the injured worker. 

Keep in mind, only 69% of these cases go the 104 weeks before reaching MMI, so the SIBS payments could begin earlier, and last longer.  

See below, information taken form the Texas site with regard to Workers compensation SIBS program. 

Changes to the Supplemental Income Benefits Application Process - for SIBs qualifying periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009.

Supplement Income Benefits (SIBs) are income benefits that you apply for quarterly (4 times per year, or every 3 months) and are paid monthly to injured employees that meet specific eligibility requirements.

You may be entitled to SIBs if you meet the following entitlement requirements:

• you have an impairment rating of 15 percent or more;
• you have not returned to work because of your impairment, or you have returned to work but are earning less than 80 percent of the average weekly wage because of the impairment;
• you have made a good faith effort to find a job that matches your abilities to work; and
• you did not take your impairment income benefits in a lump sum payment.

Texas has some very specific requirements with regard to the injured worker seeking re-employment.  Each time they apply for their SIBS benefits (quarterly) they are required to supply details of their search for work.  Our