In Texas, permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are calculated using Impairment Income Benefit (IIBs), administered by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,314.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) in Texas is awarded after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and your treating physician assigns a permanent impairment rating. Texas uses impairment income benefit (iibs) to calculate PPD benefits. The impairment rating is expressed as a percentage of the whole body or as a specific body-part award, and multiplied by a dollar value set by state law to arrive at your PPD benefit.
The three main permanent disability systems in the U.S. are: (1) Impairment-based, your impairment percentage is multiplied by a fixed value per percent; (2) Scheduled loss, each body part has a maximum number of benefit weeks, and you receive a fraction based on impairment; (3) Wage-loss, benefits are based on the actual difference between pre- and post-injury earning capacity. Texas uses the impairment income benefit (iibs) method, administered by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp.
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) play a central role in permanent disability determinations. Both you and the insurer have the right to request an IME if you disagree with the treating physician's impairment rating. If you receive a PPD rating you believe is too low, you have the right to challenge it through the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp within 90 days.
| State | Texas |
|---|---|
| Administering Authority | Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp |
| PPD System | Impairment Income Benefit (IIBs) |
| Weekly Benefit Rate | 70% of AWW |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $1,314 |
| Appeal Deadline | 90 days from denial |
In Texas, impairment income benefit (iibs) is used to rate PPD. After reaching Maximum Medical Improvement, your treating physician assigns an impairment rating that is converted to a dollar amount or weeks of benefits based on Texas's PPD schedule and your weekly benefit rate of 70%.
Yes. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are awarded for permanent loss of function, they are not conditioned on current employment status. If you receive a PPD settlement and later return to full-duty work, you keep your PPD award.
The maximum PPD payout in Texas depends on your impairment rating, your pre-injury wages, and the state's PPD schedule. With a maximum weekly benefit of $1,314, a high impairment rating and serious injury can result in a substantial PPD award, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars for severe whole-body impairment.
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical evaluation requested by the insurer to assess your impairment independently of your treating physician. IME ratings frequently differ from treating physician ratings, often lower. If you disagree with the IME rating, you have 90 days to challenge it by filing with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp. Legal representation is strongly recommended at this stage.
In Texas, the Impairment Income Benefit (IIBs) system determines whether your injury is treated as a scheduled injury (specific body part with a fixed maximum number of benefit weeks) or an unscheduled injury (whole-body or wage-loss basis). Scheduled injuries are generally more predictable; unscheduled injuries may provide higher awards for workers with significant wage loss.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) payments in Texas can be paid as a lump sum (common in settlements) or as weekly payments over a defined number of weeks based on the PPD schedule and impairment rating. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits, for workers unable to perform any work, may continue for life, up to $1,314 per week.
From Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp and Texas law. Checked October 2026. Each rule links to its official source.
| Weekly benefit | 70% of the difference between your average weekly wage and what you can earn after the injury (75% for some low earners). Source |
|---|---|
| Weekly maximum | $1,314 for injuries from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 ($1,271 the year before). Resets every October 1. Source |
| Waiting period | The first week is unpaid unless you lose pay for 14 days or more. Source |
| Tell your employer | Within 30 days of the injury, or of when you knew it was job-related. Source |
| Deadline to file a claim | Send DWC Form-041 to the Division of Workers' Compensation within 1 year of the injury. Source |
| Settlement approval | Required. The Commissioner of Workers' Compensation or a designee must approve, and a settlement cannot end medical benefits. Source |
| Attorney fees | Capped at 25% of your benefits. Source |
Rules change. Confirm deadlines with Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Comp or a licensed workers comp attorney before you rely on them.