Florida Workers’ Comp Wage Benefits: TTD, TPD, and Impairment Checks
A work injury can flip your budget overnight. The doctor says you can’t work, or you can only do light duty, and the paychecks shrink fast.
That’s when Florida workers comp benefits matter most. Wage benefits can help replace part of your lost income, but the acronyms confuse almost everyone at first: TTD, TPD, impairment checks. Each one pays for a different phase of recovery.
Below is a plain-language guide to how these checks work in Florida, what can affect your pay, and where people often get tripped up.
How Florida workers’ comp wage benefits are figured out
Most wage checks in Florida workers’ comp start with your average weekly wage (AWW). In many cases, AWW is based on your earnings during the 13 weeks before the injury. The insurance carrier uses that number to calculate your weekly compensation rate.
For many injuries, the weekly rate is two-thirds of your AWW (66 2/3 percent). However, the state also sets a maximum weekly cap. For injuries on or after January 1, 2026, Florida’s maximum weekly workers’ comp benefit is $1,358. There’s also a minimum weekly benefit that can apply in some situations.
If you want the official categories of help available, Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation summarizes them on its page about benefits available to injured workers. It’s a useful reference when you’re trying to match your situation to the right benefit type.
Here’s a quick comparison of the wage benefits people ask about most:
| Benefit type | What it’s for | When it usually applies | What can reduce it |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTD (temporary total disability) | You cannot work at all | Doctor takes you completely off work | Missing appointments, work status disputes |
| TPD (temporary partial disability) | You can work with limits | Light duty or reduced hours | Higher earnings, job offer issues |
| Impairment checks (impairment income benefits) | Lasting impairment after healing plateaus | After MMI and an impairment rating | Return to higher wages, rating disputes |
Your check is tied to numbers, not sympathy. Small payroll details can change the weekly amount.
If you want a broader refresher on coverage basics, see this Florida workers’ compensation insurance overview. It helps explain what workers’ comp covers, and what it does not.
TTD checks in Florida: when you’re out of work completely
TTD stands for temporary total disability. Think of it like a cast on your income. You’re expected to heal, but you’re not able to work right now.
In Florida, TTD usually applies when an authorized doctor says you’re unable to work in any capacity. In that situation, wage benefits often start after a short waiting period. Many workers hear “seven days” and panic. The key point is timing and documentation. If your disability lasts long enough, the first week may become payable under Florida’s rules.
The amount is commonly based on about two-thirds of your AWW, subject to the statewide maximum. For 2026 injuries, that max is $1,358 per week. The carrier may also reduce or suspend checks if it claims you missed a required medical visit, ignored restrictions, or refused suitable work.
Florida posts an official self-help tool that can help you estimate the math: the Temporary Total Disability benefit calculator. It’s not a substitute for legal advice, but it’s a good “sanity check” if the numbers feel off.
Also, your early actions matter. Fast reporting and clean medical records can prevent a lot of fights later. If you’re unsure what steps to take right away, this guide on steps after a workplace injury in Florida lays out practical next moves.
TPD and impairment checks: light duty pay gaps and post-MMI benefits
TPD stands for temporary partial disability. It usually comes up when the doctor releases you to work with restrictions, but you cannot earn what you earned before. Maybe you can work only four hours a day, or you’re moved to a lower-paid job. TPD is meant to cover part of that gap.
In plain terms, TPD is tied to the difference between what you used to earn and what you’re able to earn during recovery. If your light duty wages rise, TPD can drop. If your employer offers suitable work within your restrictions and you turn it down, the carrier may argue it can reduce or stop benefits.
Returning to work can feel like walking on a freshly mopped floor. You can do it, but one wrong step creates a mess. Florida’s workers’ comp division has practical tips on returning to work after an injury, including how work status can affect monetary benefits.
Impairment checks are different. They usually start after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), meaning your doctor believes further treatment won’t significantly change your condition. MMI doesn’t mean you’re “back to normal.” It means you’ve hit a plateau.
After MMI, the doctor may assign an impairment rating. That rating helps determine impairment income benefits, which many people call impairment checks. Because the rating and math can get technical, Florida provides official tools, including the impairment income benefit calculator.
MMI is a medical line in the sand, not a statement that you’re fully healed.
Finally, watch out for eligibility problems that can lead to denials or benefit stops. Issues like late reporting, intoxication claims, or policy violations can matter more than people expect. For a deeper look at risk points, read about Florida workers comp denial reasons.
Conclusion
Wage checks in workers’ comp aren’t one-size-fits-all. TTD usually applies when you can’t work at all, TPD often applies when restrictions cut your earnings, and impairment checks can start after MMI and an impairment rating. If the numbers look wrong, or checks stop without warning, it’s often a paperwork or proof problem, not a “bad luck” problem. The right plan protects your Florida workers comp benefits while you focus on healing.