The Wyoming workers comp waiting period is the number of days you must be off work after a job injury before wage-loss benefits start — 3 days in Wyoming, set by Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d). This guide explains how the Wyoming workers comp waiting period is counted, when Wyoming pays those days back, what is still covered during the wait, and what to do if your first check is late.
Figures verified against Wyoming sources as of October 2026.
Wyoming at a Glance
| Waiting period | 3 days (Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d)) |
| Paid back after | 8 days of disability (Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d) — “Disability payments under this section shall not be allowed for the first three (3) days of disability unless the incapacity extends beyond eight (8) days.”) |
| Medical care during the wait | Yes. The 3-day waiting period in § 27-14-404(d) applies only to disability (wage-loss) payments. Medical care for a compensable injury is a separate benefit under § 27-14-401 and is generally covered from the first day. Many claimants should still confirm that their claim has been accepted. |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (two-thirds of actual gross monthly earnings, paid monthly). The floor is 30% of the statewide average monthly wage. The cap is the lower of 100% of the worker’s actual monthly earnings or the statewide average monthly wage. Benefits may increase 3% if all medical care is received in Wyoming. (Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-403, § 27-14-404)% of your average weekly wage |
In This Wyoming Guide:
How Long Is the Wyoming Workers Comp Waiting Period?
Wyoming applies a 3 days Wyoming workers comp waiting period to wage-loss benefits — temporary total disability — not to medical care. The clock starts with your first day of disability, not the day you report the injury, so the two dates can differ. Wyoming pays temporary total disability monthly (not weekly), and the cap changes every quarter. A health care provider must “certify” the disability.
Benefits are not paid for a certified period unless the claim is filed within 30 days after the first 30 days of that period (§ 27-14-404). Temporary total disability is limited to a lifetime total of 24 months per injury unless the Division finds extraordinary circumstances. Wyoming is a monopolistic state fund, so the Division itself pays benefits rather than a private insurer.
When the Wyoming Workers Comp Waiting Period Is Paid Back
The second number matters as much as the first. In Wyoming the Wyoming workers comp waiting period is paid back once your disability lasts 8 days (Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d) — “Disability payments under this section shall not be allowed for the first three (3) days of disability unless the incapacity extends beyond eight (8) days.”).
So a worker out for two weeks or more usually recovers the first 3 days; a worker back in a few days usually does not.
Wyoming Workers Comp Waiting Period Rules at a Glance
Every number below comes from Wyoming sources; the statute column is where to check it yourself.
| Waiting period (days) | 3 |
| Statute | Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d) |
| Retroactive after (days) | 8 |
| Retroactive statute | Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-404(d) — “Disability payments under this section shall not be allowed for the first three (3) days of disability unless the incapacity extends beyond eight (8) days.” |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (two-thirds of actual gross monthly earnings, paid monthly). The floor is 30% of the statewide average monthly wage. The cap is the lower of 100% of the worker’s actual monthly earnings or the statewide average monthly wage. Benefits may increase 3% if all medical care is received in Wyoming. (Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-403, § 27-14-404)% |
How Wyoming Counts the Days
States differ on whether the day of injury counts, whether weekends and holidays count, and whether a half day at work breaks the streak. The Wyoming rule is in the table above; when in doubt, count calendar days from the first full day you could not work and confirm with the insurer.
Light-duty days are the common trap: if you go back on modified duty at full pay, most states stop the disability clock, and the Wyoming workers comp waiting period may have to restart if you go out again. Keep your doctor’s work restrictions in writing.
What Is Covered During the Waiting Period
Yes. The 3-day waiting period in § 27-14-404(d) applies only to disability (wage-loss) payments. Medical care for a compensable injury is a separate benefit under § 27-14-401 and is generally covered from the first day. Many claimants should still confirm that their claim has been accepted.
Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as it happens, see an authorized doctor, and keep a copy of every form. Those three steps protect the claim whether or not the Wyoming workers comp waiting period ends up being paid back.
If Your First Wyoming Check Is Late
Contact the claims analyst named in the Division’s claim letter (claims analyst contacts are also listed in the Division’s online PIERS portal). Or call the Wyoming Workers’ Compensation Division claims line at (307) 777-7441, or Customer Service at (307) 777-5476 / [email protected]. Mailing address: P.O. Box 20207, Cheyenne, WY 82003.
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Make sure a claim for benefits has been filed on time, and confirm your options with the Division and a licensed attorney.
Why the Wyoming Workers Comp Waiting Period Exists
Every state uses a waiting period to keep very short absences out of the wage-loss system, the way a deductible works on a car policy. The Wyoming workers comp waiting period is on the shorter end of the national range of three to seven days, and the payback rule decides whether a longer injury recovers it.
If any part of the Wyoming workers comp waiting period is unclear for your case, the state agency’s information line can confirm the count and the insurer’s deadline at no cost.
Next step: once the Wyoming workers comp waiting period has run, the claim itself decides what you are paid. Our Wyoming claim guide covers the reporting deadline, the forms and what to do if the insurer disputes the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the workers comp waiting period in Wyoming?
Wyoming requires 3 days of disability before wage-loss benefits start. Medical care is covered from day one.
Does Wyoming pay the waiting period back?
Yes, once your disability lasts 8 days or more the waiting period is paid retroactively. Keep your doctor’s off-work note; it is the proof.
What if my first Wyoming workers comp check is late?
Call the insurer, then the state agency listed in the sources. Many states set a deadline for the first payment and a penalty for missing it.
Official Wyoming Sources & Resources
- Wyoming Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers’ Compensation Division (contested cases go to the Office of Administrative Hearings / Medical Commission): https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/workers-compensation/
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Statute: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title27.pdf
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Wyoming workers comp waiting period guide was last verified against official Wyoming sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
You May Also Like
More Wyoming Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a Wyoming Workers’ Comp Claim
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Wyoming Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.