dwc form-045 is the Texas form you use to ask for a Benefit Review Conference, or BRC. Either party in a workers’ comp dispute can file it with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC). A BRC is an informal meeting where a DWC benefit review officer helps both sides try to settle a disagreement. If your benefits were denied, cut off, or questioned, this form is often the first formal step toward getting the issue in front of a neutral person.
What the Dwc Form-045 Is For
When you and the insurance carrier disagree, you can’t go straight to a hearing. Texas generally requires a Benefit Review Conference first. The dwc form-045 is how you ask for that meeting. For example, the carrier may deny that your injury happened at work. Or it may stop your income benefits, or dispute your impairment rating. In most cases, the BRC is where those issues are first talked through with a DWC officer.
The same form does three jobs. You can use it to schedule a new BRC, reschedule one that is already set, or cancel one you no longer need. As a result, you only need one form for any BRC scheduling question. You can find it on the official Texas DWC numeric forms list. For more on the agency itself, see our guide to the Texas workers comp board.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC Form-045 |
| Title | Request to Schedule, Reschedule, or Cancel a Benefit Review Conference (BRC) |
| Who files | Either party in a dispute, filed with DWC |
| Where filed | Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation |
| Fee | No filing fee is listed on the form; confirm with DWC |
| Official PDF | https://www.tdi.texas.gov/forms/dwc/dwc045brc.pdf |
Who Files the Dwc Form-045 and When
Either side can file the dwc form-045. Typically, the injured worker files it after a denial or a cut in benefits. However, the insurance carrier can file it too. If you have an attorney, they may file it for you. If you don’t have a lawyer, you can still file it yourself. Texas also has a free state Ombudsman Program that helps unrepresented injured workers get ready for a BRC.
Timing matters. DWC generally expects you to try to settle the dispute with the other side before you ask for a BRC. That means calling or writing to the adjuster and keeping a record of it. Many Texas claimants keep copies of letters, emails, and notes on phone calls. That record becomes part of your request.
If you haven’t filed your claim yet, start there. Our guide on how to file a Texas workers comp claim walks through those first steps. You can also review the Texas workers comp requirements to check that your claim is on solid ground.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The dwc form-045 asks for basic claim details. These include your name, the employer, the insurance carrier, your date of injury, and the claim number. Next, you mark whether you want to schedule, reschedule, or cancel. Then you list the disputed issues in plain words. For example, “Is the back injury part of the compensable injury?” Finally, you explain how you tried to resolve the dispute first.
Common mistakes slow things down. The most frequent is skipping proof that you tried to settle the issue with the carrier. Others include a missing claim number, vague issues, or no supporting documents. A reschedule request without a clear reason can also be denied. In most cases, attaching the key medical records and letters helps your request move forward.
Download the current version from the official DWC Form-045 PDF. Always use the newest version from the TDI site. The form lists the ways DWC accepts it, such as mail, fax, or delivery to a field office. Send a copy to the other party, too. Keep a copy of everything you send, along with proof of the date.
What Happens After You File
After DWC reviews your dwc form-045, it may set a BRC date and send a notice to both sides. The meeting may be in person, by phone, or by video. A benefit review officer leads the talk but does not decide who wins. If you agree, the officer writes up a settlement or agreement. However, DWC may decline the request if key information is missing. If so, you can fix the problem and file again.
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If the BRC doesn’t solve the dispute, the next step is usually a Contested Case Hearing. There, an administrative law judge makes a decision. Any benefit amounts discussed at a BRC depend on your own facts, and any estimates are illustrative only. Every case is different. For questions about your filing, contact your local DWC field office through the TDI website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay to file the dwc form-045?
The form does not list a filing fee. Most injured workers file it without paying DWC anything. Still, confirm with DWC before you send it.
Can I file the dwc form-045 without a lawyer?
Yes. Either party can file it, including an injured worker without an attorney. Texas has a free Ombudsman Program that can help you prepare. You may also want to talk with a licensed attorney about your options.
What if I can’t make my scheduled BRC?
You can use the same dwc form-045 to ask for a new date. Typically, you must give a good reason and file before the deadline. Missing a BRC without approval can hurt your case, so act early.
Dwc form-045: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about dwc form-045, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about dwc form-045 should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about dwc form-045 that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- Texas Workers Comp Board
- How to File a Texas Workers Comp Claim
- Texas Workers Comp Requirements
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.