Light duty pay is lower than your regular paycheck for many hurt workers, and that gap can feel scary. Maybe your doctor cleared you for “restricted work.” Your employer then offered fewer hours, a desk job, or a lower hourly rate. You are working again, but your bank account is shrinking.
Here is the good news. In most states, workers’ comp does not simply walk away when you return at reduced pay. A benefit called temporary partial disability often covers part of the lost wages. This guide explains how that works, what the real numbers look like, and what steps protect your money right now.
Why Light Duty Pay Is Lower and What Workers’ Comp Owes You
Light duty means work that fits your medical restrictions. For example, you might sort paperwork instead of lifting boxes. You might work four hours instead of eight. Because the job is different, light duty pay is lower in many cases. Fewer hours, lost overtime, and a lower rate all add up.
When you could not work at all, you probably received TTD. TTD stands for temporary total disability. It replaces part of your wages while you are fully off work. Once you return at reduced pay, TTD typically stops. However, a different benefit may start. It is called TPD, or temporary partial disability.
TPD is designed for exactly this situation. It pays a share of the difference between what you earned before the injury and what you earn now. That “before” figure is your average weekly wage. Your average weekly wage is your typical gross pay per week before you got hurt, usually based on recent months. Many states include overtime in that number. As a result, a worker who lost regular overtime may be owed more than they think.
The Exact Formulas When Light Duty Pay Is Lower
Most states use a simple rule. They pay two-thirds of the gap between your old wage and your new wage. Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Georgia, and Pennsylvania all follow some version of this two-thirds formula. Texas and Florida use different math. The table below shows the basics.
| State | How partial wage loss is paid | Key limit |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | Two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury and light duty wages | Subject to state max and min rates |
| New York | Two-thirds of the difference, paid while you earn less on light duty | Subject to state weekly max |
| Georgia | Two-thirds of the difference | $533 per week max (injuries 7/1/2023 on); up to 350 weeks |
| Texas | 70% of the difference between your average weekly wage and post-injury earnings | $1,271 per week max for injuries 10/1/2025 to 9/30/2026 |
| Florida | 80% of the difference between 80% of your average weekly wage and your new earnings | Generally 104 weeks combined with TTD |
Let’s run a real example. Tennessee’s own guide uses a worker with a $600 average weekly wage. On light duty, that worker earns $200. The gap is $400. Two-thirds of $400 comes to about $266.68 per week in TPD. So the worker takes home $200 in wages plus about $266.68 in benefits.
Here is a New York example. Say you earned $600 a week before your injury. Now you earn $400 on light duty. The gap is $200. Two-thirds of that is about $133 per week. In most cases, those payments continue while you stay on light duty and below your old wage.
Keep one point in mind. State maximum weekly benefits change every year. Texas, for example, resets its cap each October 1. Georgia’s caps change when lawmakers act. Always confirm the current figure with your state workers’ compensation board before relying on any number here.
What to Do Next When Light Duty Pay Is Lower
First, do not assume TPD will show up on its own. In many states, the adjuster needs proof of your new earnings to calculate it. Tennessee, for example, requires employers to file a wage statement form (Form C-41). Elsewhere, you may need to send pay stubs yourself. Keep every stub from light duty. Send copies to the adjuster on a steady schedule, such as every two weeks.
Second, check your average weekly wage. If it is set too low, every TPD check will be too low. Ask the insurer in writing how they calculated it. Compare it with your own pay records from before the injury. Look for missing overtime, a second job, or bonuses your state counts.
Third, think carefully before you turn down a light duty offer. In Tennessee and many other states, refusing suitable light duty can end your temporary benefits. However, the job must actually fit your doctor’s restrictions. If the work goes beyond those limits, tell your doctor and the adjuster right away. Put your concerns in writing.
Fourth, track the timeline. TPD usually does not last forever. Florida generally caps TTD and TPD together at 104 weeks. Georgia allows up to 350 weeks. Benefits also may change when you reach MMI. MMI means maximum medical improvement, the point where your doctor says you are as healed as you will get. At MMI, you may get an impairment rating. That rating is a percentage that measures lasting damage. It can lead to PPD, or permanent partial disability, which pays for the permanent loss.
📨 Get Free Workers Comp Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Finally, remember that light duty pay is lower for many people, but the gap should not quietly come out of your pocket. If checks stop, seem wrong, or never start, contact your state board. Many boards have free ombudsman or worker-assistance staff. You can also talk with a licensed workers’ comp attorney. Many offer free consultations.
Also, keep the bigger picture in mind for any settlement talks. If you later settle through a compromise and release, you give up future benefits for a lump sum. A compromise and release is a deal that closes some or all of your claim. Unpaid TPD can be part of that value. Any estimate you see is illustrative, and every case is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get workers’ comp if light duty pay is lower than my old paycheck?
In most cases, yes. Most states pay temporary partial disability when light duty pay is lower than your average weekly wage. Typically, it covers two-thirds of the gap, though Texas and Florida use different formulas. Confirm the rules with your state board.
What if my employer has no light duty work for me?
If your doctor gave restrictions and no suitable job exists, you may be entitled to continue receiving TTD. As a result, you would get full temporary benefits instead of partial ones. Ask the adjuster in writing to confirm your status.
Do I lose benefits if I quit light duty?
You might. For example, Tennessee says refusing suitable light duty can end temporary benefits. However, if the job breaks your medical restrictions, the answer may differ. Talk with your doctor, your state board, and a licensed attorney before quitting.
You Have Support Here
This is a hard moment, and you do not have to sort it out alone. A short, free conversation can help you understand your options and what comes next — with no pressure and no obligation.
Advertising — not a referral, endorsement, or legal advice.
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.