In California, workers’ compensation temporary disability pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to a 2026 minimum of $264.61 and a maximum of $1,764.11 per week. How much you actually receive depends on your pre-injury earnings, the type of benefit, and how your average weekly wage is calculated. Amounts and rules are set by the California Labor Code.
For most injured workers, the main wage-replacement benefit is temporary total disability, or TTD. It pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you are unable to work because of a job injury.
That amount is capped at both ends. For a 2026 injury, TTD pays no less than $264.61 per week and no more than $1,764.11 per week, no matter what two-thirds of your wages would otherwise be. Workers who earned very little may receive their actual weekly earnings if that falls below the minimum.
These are wage-replacement benefits, not your full paycheck. They are designed to cover part of your lost income while you recover. They are also tax-free at the state and federal level.
Your benefit starts with your average weekly wage (AWW). California law requires the insurance company to count income from all your work sources, not just your base pay.
Your average weekly wage generally includes:
Passive income, such as rental income, interest, or investment dividends, is generally not counted, because it continues whether or not you can work.
Once the AWW is set, your TTD benefit is two-thirds of that figure, then adjusted to fit within the yearly minimum and maximum.
Example. Say you earned $900 per week before your injury. Two-thirds of that is $600 per week, which falls between the 2026 minimum and maximum, so your TTD benefit would be about $600 per week. If you earned $3,000 per week, two-thirds would be $2,000, but the 2026 cap limits you to $1,764.11 per week.
The minimum and maximum rates change every year, tied to the State Average Weekly Wage. Here are the current figures.
| Rate | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum weekly TTD | $252.03 | $264.61 |
| Maximum weekly TTD | $1,680.29 | $1,764.11 |
The rate that applies to you is set by your date of injury. A 2026 injury uses the 2026 rates. This matters, because insurers sometimes pay an old year’s rate by mistake, which can shortchange you week after week.
Temporary disability is meant to bridge the recovery period, not continue forever. In most cases, TTD benefits are limited to 104 weeks (about two years) within a five-year window from your date of injury.
Payments generally continue until one of the following happens: you return to work, your doctor says you have recovered as much as you are going to (a point called maximum medical improvement), or you reach the 104-week limit.
If your 104 weeks run out but you are still not fully recovered, there can be a gap. Some workers transition to State Disability Insurance through the EDD, which is a separate program. If your benefits are about to end and you are not back to full health, it is worth getting advice before the checks stop.
If your injury leaves a lasting impairment, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits in addition to, or after, temporary disability.
Permanent disability is calculated differently. It depends on a disability rating, your date of injury, and a schedule set by the California Labor Code. Weekly permanent disability rates generally range from about $160 to $290 per week, depending on your rating.
Other benefits may also apply depending on your situation:
Medical treatment for the work injury, generally paid directly to providers
Supplemental job displacement (retraining help) if you cannot return to your old job
Death benefits paid to dependents if a work injury is fatal
Underpayment is more common than many workers realize. A few frequent reasons:
The insurer used last year’s rate for a current-year injury
Your average weekly wage was calculated too low, leaving out overtime, tips, bonuses, or a second job
Benefits were delayed or stopped without a proper basis
Because the yearly rate changes automatically, many injured workers do not know their benefit should be higher than what they are being paid. If your check seems low, or your wage calculation looks incomplete, it is worth having someone review it.
Abramson Labor Group helps injured California workers check that their benefits are correctly calculated and paid, and disputes denied, delayed, or underpaid claims.
For a 2026 injury, temporary disability pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage, with a minimum of $264.61 and a maximum of $1,764.11 per week. Workers earning below the minimum may receive their actual weekly earnings.
It is based on your gross, pre-tax average weekly wage. The benefit is two-thirds of that gross figure, subject to the yearly caps.
No. It replaces about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, not your full pay, and it is subject to a maximum. It is meant to partially replace lost income during recovery.
In most cases, up to 104 weeks within five years of your injury date. Payments usually stop when you return to work, reach maximum medical improvement, or hit the 104-week limit.
Common causes are the insurer using an old year’s rate or calculating your average weekly wage without overtime, tips, bonuses, or a second job. A review can confirm whether you are being paid correctly.
If you are unsure whether your benefits are calculated correctly, or your payments were delayed, reduced, or denied, Abramson Labor Group can help you understand your rights under California law.
Call (213) 493-6300 or contact our intake team to request a free intake assessment in English or Spanish. Accepted cases use contingency fees, so you pay no fees unless we win.
This article provides general information about California workers’ compensation benefit amounts and is not legal advice. Benefit calculations depend on your specific facts, and rates change each year. Confirm your situation with a qualified attorney.