Reduced hours after an injury can hit your budget hard, even when you are back at work. Maybe your doctor cleared you for four hours a day. Maybe your employer gave you light duty with fewer shifts.
Either way, your paycheck shrinks while your bills stay the same. The good news is that most states do not leave you to absorb that loss alone. Workers’ comp usually pays a partial wage benefit to cover part of the gap. This guide explains how that benefit works, what it typically pays, the deadlines to watch, and what to do next to protect your claim.
How Workers’ Comp Treats Reduced Hours After an Injury
When you cannot work at all, most states pay temporary total disability, or TTD. That means wage checks while you are fully off work and healing. However, many injured workers are not fully off work. They go back part-time or to lighter, lower-paying duties. That situation usually falls under temporary partial disability, or TPD.
TPD is a benefit for workers who can do some work, but not their full job yet. It does not replace your whole paycheck. Instead, it pays a share of the difference between what you earned before and what you earn now. As a result, reduced hours after an injury usually still count as a wage loss your claim should cover.
The key number is your average weekly wage, or AWW. This is your typical gross weekly pay before the injury. In most cases, it is based on your earnings over a set period, often the 52 weeks before you got hurt. Overtime and second jobs may count in some states. Check your AWW closely, because every partial benefit is built on it.
What Partial Benefits Typically Pay, State by State
Most states use a simple formula. They take your old AWW, subtract what you earn now, and pay a percentage of that gap. For example, say you earned $900 a week before. With reduced hours after an injury, you now earn $500. The gap is $400. In a state that pays two-thirds, your TPD check would be about $267 a week.
The percentage and time limits vary. Here is how several states generally handle it:
| State | Partial benefit formula | Typical time limit |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2/3 of your weekly wage loss | 104 weeks of temporary benefits within 5 years of injury (longer for some severe injuries) |
| New York | 2/3 of the difference between your AWW and current pay | Paid while partial disability and reduced earnings continue, subject to the weekly maximum |
| Texas | 70% of the difference between your AWW and post-injury pay | Up to 104 weeks of income benefits |
| Florida | 80% of the difference between 80% of your AWW and current pay | Generally 104 weeks combined temporary benefits |
| Pennsylvania | 2/3 of the difference between your AWW and current pay | Up to 500 weeks of partial disability |
Every state also caps weekly benefits at a maximum amount. State maximum weekly benefits change every year, often on January 1 or July 1. Confirm the current figure with your state workers’ comp board before you count on a number. These examples are illustrative, and every case is different.
Deadlines matter too. In California, New York, Texas, and Florida, you generally must tell your employer about the injury within 30 days. Texas also gives you one year to file your claim with the state. Missing a deadline can put benefits at risk, so act early.
What to Do Next If You Have Reduced Hours After an Injury
First, get your work limits in writing. Ask your doctor to list exactly what you can do and for how many hours. Typically, insurers will not pay partial benefits without medical proof that your limits caused the cut in hours. A clear note protects you if anyone later questions why you work less.
Second, track every paycheck. Keep pay stubs from before and after the injury. Write down your hours each week. If your reduced hours after an injury change from week to week, your benefit may change too. Many states require you to report your earnings to the insurer, often on a set form. Send it on time and keep copies.
Third, watch for the word MMI. This stands for maximum medical improvement. It means your doctor thinks you have healed as much as you are likely to. At MMI, temporary benefits like TPD usually stop. Your doctor may then give an impairment rating. That is a percentage showing how much lasting loss of function you have. That rating can lead to permanent partial disability, or PPD, which pays for lasting damage.
Fourth, do not quietly accept a lower check. If the insurer pays less than the formula suggests, ask how they calculated it. Request their AWW figure in writing. Mistakes happen, and a small error can cost you hundreds over time. If your claim later settles, some states use a compromise and release. That is a lump-sum deal that usually closes your claim for good. Know what partial wage loss you are owed before signing anything. Confirm your options with your state board and a licensed attorney.
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Finally, remember you did nothing wrong. Reduced hours after an injury are common. Workers’ comp systems were built with this exact situation in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get workers’ comp if I’m working reduced hours after an injury?
In most cases, yes. If your doctor limits your hours and you earn less, you may be entitled to temporary partial disability. However, you usually need medical proof that the injury caused the cut in hours.
What if my employer cuts my hours but my doctor didn’t limit them?
This is harder. Typically, partial benefits require a medical link between your injury and your lost pay. If the cut is for business reasons, ask your doctor whether your limits played a role. Then confirm your rights with your state board.
How long can I collect benefits for reduced hours after an injury?
It depends on your state. For example, Texas generally caps income benefits at 104 weeks, while Pennsylvania allows up to 500 weeks of partial disability. As a result, check your own state’s rules early.
Will turning down light duty with reduced hours after an injury hurt my claim?
It can. In many states, refusing suitable light duty that your doctor approved may reduce or stop your wage benefits. If the offered work goes beyond your written limits, however, tell the insurer and your doctor right away.
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Sources & How to Verify
This guide is built from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp figures, deadlines, and state rules change every year, so always confirm the exact figure with your state board or a licensed attorney:
- Your state workers’ compensation board / division: the first and most authoritative source for your state’s caps, deadlines, and rules.
- U.S. Department of Labor: dol.gov — the directory of state workers’ comp officials.
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data.
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — SSDI offset and benefit-cap data.
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral coverage and claims data.
Verified October 2026. State maximum weekly benefits change every year — if you spot anything outdated, please contact us.
Related Guides
- The Complete Guide to Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Workers’ Comp Settlements by State
- Workers’ Comp Benefits Explained (TTD, PPD, MMI)
- Your Rights at Work — Common Scenarios
- Plain-English Workers’ Comp Glossary
Disclaimer. This page is for general information only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical provider. Benefit caps, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change every year, and any settlement figure is an illustration, not a prediction. For your situation, confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.