sjdb voucher is the common name for California form DWC-AD 10133.32, the Supplemental Job Displacement Non-Transferable Voucher (injuries on or after 1/1/13). The claims administrator issues it to the injured worker. You do not file it with the state. It helps pay for retraining or new skills if your work injury keeps you from going back to your old job. If one came in the mail, or you think you should have received one, this guide walks you through it step by step.
What the Sjdb Voucher Is For
The Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit helps workers who have a lasting disability and cannot return to their job. The sjdb voucher is the paper that unlocks that help. It can pay for things like school tuition, training programs, licensing fees, books, and certain tools. It is not a cash payment, and it is not a settlement. However, it is a real benefit. It is also separate from your permanent disability payments.
“Non-transferable” means only you can use it. You cannot sell it, give it to a family member, or trade it for cash. In most cases, you take it to an eligible school or training provider, and they bill against it. State rules set the dollar amount and the covered expenses. As a result, check the current limits on the DWC forms page or with a DWC Information and Assistance officer before you make plans.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | DWC-AD 10133.32 |
| Form title | Supplemental Job Displacement Non-Transferable Voucher (injuries on or after 1/1/13) |
| Who files | The claims administrator issues it to the injured worker |
| Where it goes | To the injured worker, who gives it to an eligible school or training provider (it is not filed with the state) |
| Fee | No filing fee |
| Agency | California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) |
| Official PDF | https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/forms/SJDB/10133.32.pdf |
Who Files the Sjdb Voucher and When
This is the most important point: you do not file this form. The claims administrator fills it out and sends it to you. That is the insurance company or self-insured employer handling your claim. Typically, this happens after your permanent disability is decided and your employer has not offered you a job you can do. That could be your regular job, a modified version of it, or a different job.
In most cases, you may be entitled to an sjdb voucher if three things are true. Your injury happened on or after 1/1/13. It left you with a permanent partial disability. And your employer did not make a qualifying job offer within the time the law allows. For example, say your doctor bars heavy lifting and your employer has no light-duty work. In that case, you may qualify. You can read more about California workers comp requirements to see how eligibility fits into your overall claim.
What if you think you qualify but nothing has arrived? Then write to your claims adjuster and ask about the voucher. Keep a copy of your letter or email, and note the date you sent it. A calm, written request often settles the question quickly.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The claims administrator completes most of the form. Typically, it lists your name, your claim number, and your date of injury. It also shows the claims administrator’s contact information, the voucher amount, and where to send bills. There is also a section for your school or training provider. Your main job is to check every line carefully. Mistakes here can slow down your payments.
Watch for these common problems. The date of injury is wrong. The claim number does not match your other papers. The wrong version of the form was used, since injuries before 1/1/13 use a different voucher form. Or a needed signature is missing. If you spot an error, ask the adjuster in writing for a corrected sjdb voucher. Do not cross things out or fix it yourself.
The voucher does not go to the DWC. There is no e-filing and no filing fee, because it is not filed with the state. Instead, you give a copy to your chosen school or provider. In most cases, eligible providers include California public schools and providers on the state’s approved training provider list.
Claims often get denied because the school is not eligible, the voucher has expired, receipts are missing, or the expense is not covered. You can download the official DWC-AD 10133.32 PDF or browse all forms on the California DWC forms page.
What Happens After You File
Once you pick a school or program, the provider usually bills the claims administrator directly. For some costs, you may pay first and ask to be paid back. Keep every receipt, invoice, and enrollment record. The claims administrator must pay valid bills within a time limit set by state rules.
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If they deny a charge or ignore it, you can ask the DWC to settle the dispute. A DWC Information and Assistance officer can explain how that works for free. You can also learn how the California workers comp board handles disputes like this.
Some workers who receive an sjdb voucher may also qualify for a separate one-time state payment called the Return-to-Work Supplement. Check the DWC website for current rules. And if your claim is still in its early stages, review how to file a California workers comp claim so you do not miss earlier steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cash instead of the sjdb voucher?
Generally, no. The sjdb voucher is non-transferable and pays only for approved training and related costs. Confirm the current rules with the DWC and a licensed attorney if a cash offer comes up.
Can the sjdb voucher be traded away in my settlement?
For injuries on or after 1/1/13, the law generally does not let the voucher be settled or bought out. However, every case is different, and any settlement figures you hear are illustrative only. Ask a licensed attorney to review any settlement papers before you sign.
What if my sjdb voucher expires before I use it?
Once a voucher expires, you usually lose the right to use it. That is why it helps to choose a program early and keep track of the expiration date printed on your form. If you think the date is wrong, contact the claims administrator and the DWC right away.
Sjdb voucher: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about sjdb voucher, 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 sjdb voucher should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about sjdb voucher 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
- California Workers Comp Board
- How to File a California Workers Comp Claim
- California 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.