Keeping benefits during retraining is one of the biggest worries for injured workers who can’t go back to their old job. You may have reached the point where your doctor says you won’t heal any further. Your old work may now be too heavy, too fast, or too risky for your body. Retraining can open a new path, but school takes time.
Rent and groceries don’t wait. The good news is that many states keep some wage-replacement checks coming while you train. However, the rules differ a lot from state to state. This guide explains what is usually paid, how long it lasts, and what you can do to protect your income.
What Keeping Benefits During Retraining Really Means
Workers’ comp usually pays two kinds of money. The first kind is wage-loss pay. Many states call it TTD, which stands for temporary total disability. It typically replaces about two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Your average weekly wage is your typical gross pay before the injury, averaged over a set period.
The second kind is for lasting harm. This is often called PPD, or permanent partial disability. It is based on your impairment rating. That is a percentage a doctor gives to show how much use of your body you lost for good. A higher rating generally means a larger award.
Most retraining happens after MMI. MMI means maximum medical improvement. It is the point where your doctor says your condition has leveled off. In many states, regular TTD stops at MMI. As a result, keeping benefits during retraining often depends on a special rule that extends or replaces those checks while you are in an approved program.
How Long Benefits Last During Retraining: State Examples
The amount and length of support vary widely. For example, some states pay weekly checks for the whole plan. Others give you a voucher for school but no weekly check. The table below shows four real examples.
| State | What is paid during retraining | How long it can last |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Time-loss pay continues under an approved Option 1 plan, plus training costs (about $20,000 cap as of July 2023) | Plan can run up to 2 years |
| Minnesota | Retraining compensation at the TTD rate, with a possible increase of up to 25% | Up to 156 weeks, plus 90 days of TTD after the plan ends |
| Florida | Training and education benefits at the TTD rate after MMI, in an approved program | Up to 26 weeks, with 26 more if a judge approves |
| California | A $6,000 school voucher (injuries on or after 1/1/2013); no weekly TD check during training | Voucher typically expires 2 years after issue or 5 years after injury, whichever is later |
Look closely at California. Its voucher helps pay tuition, books, and fees. However, temporary disability checks usually end before the voucher is even sent. In California, keeping benefits during retraining mostly means your permanent disability payments keep coming, if you have an award. Many California claimants also qualify for the separate $5,000 Return-to-Work Supplement.
Minnesota has a key deadline. Typically, you must file your retraining request before 156 weeks of combined temporary total or temporary partial benefits have been paid. Your insurer is required to warn you about this limit in writing. In Washington, choosing Option 2 instead closes your claim. You get an award equal to nine months of time-loss, but weekly checks stop.
Keep in mind that state maximum weekly benefits change every year. Training caps are often adjusted too. Always confirm the current figure with your state workers’ comp board before you plan your budget.
Steps to Protect Keeping Benefits During Retraining
Your checks during training are rarely automatic. In most cases, they depend on following the plan. These steps can help you protect your income.
1. Get the plan approved in writing. Most states only pay during an approved program. Don’t enroll on your own and hope for payment later. Ask your claims adjuster or vocational counselor for written approval first.
2. Show up and keep records. Attendance matters. For example, Washington asks workers to contact their vocational counselor at least twice a month. Missing class or meetings can stop your checks. Save grades, attendance records, and every email.
3. Watch the calendar. Deadlines can quietly end your rights. Write down your MMI date, the date your weekly checks started, and any cap on weeks. If a cap is near, act before it hits.
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4. Know how a settlement affects you. Some workers are offered a lump sum to close the claim. In California, this is often called a compromise and release. It usually ends future benefits for good, including retraining support. Any settlement estimate you hear is illustrative only. Every case is different. Before signing, confirm with your state board and a licensed attorney how it affects keeping benefits during retraining.
5. Ask for help if checks stop. If payments end without warning, ask the insurer for the reason in writing. Then contact your state’s ombudsman or workers’ comp information office. Most of these offices are free. They can explain your options, including how to file a dispute.
Keeping benefits during retraining also means planning for the gap after school. Minnesota, for example, pays 90 days of TTD after a plan ends to give you time to find work. Many other states don’t. Start your job search early, and use your counselor’s job placement help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get workers’ comp checks while I go back to school?
In many states, yes, if the program is approved by your insurer or state board. For example, Washington continues time-loss pay during an approved plan. However, California typically gives a school voucher instead of weekly checks.
What happens to my benefits if I quit my retraining program?
In most cases, weekly payments stop if you drop out or stop taking part. As a result, quitting can cost you both the checks and the training money. If a health problem is getting in the way, tell your counselor and adjuster right away.
Does a settlement end keeping benefits during retraining?
Typically, a full settlement closes your claim, which can end retraining support. Some settlements include money set aside for school. Confirm with your state board and a licensed attorney before signing anything, because every case is different.
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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.