In Pennsylvania, workers comp weekly benefits are paid at 67% of your average weekly wage, capped at $1,394 per week, and can last up to 500 weeks, as set by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
Workers compensation weekly benefits in Pennsylvania are calculated at 67% of your average weekly wage (AWW), capped at $1,394 per week. This is your temporary total disability (TTD) rate, the amount you receive each week while you are completely unable to work due to a work-related injury. AWW is calculated based on the 52 weeks of earnings prior to your injury date, divided by the number of weeks you actually worked, as required by Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
Pennsylvania allows 500 weeks of temporary disability benefits, one of the more generous duration limits among U.S. states. TTD benefits continue until you return to work, reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), or exhaust the state's maximum benefit period, whichever comes first.
Most workers comp waiting periods are 3 to 7 days, meaning your first check doesn't arrive until you have missed that many days of work. However, if you remain disabled beyond a retroactive threshold (usually 14-21 days), the waiting period days are typically paid retroactively. Be sure to report your injury to your employer on the date it occurs to preserve your right to full benefit payment from the first eligible day.
| State | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Administering Authority | Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation |
| TTD Benefit Rate | 67% of average weekly wage |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $1,394 |
| Maximum TTD Duration | Up to 500 weeks |
| Appeal Deadline | 20 days from denial |
In Pennsylvania, your weekly benefit is 67% of your average weekly wage (AWW), but no more than $1,394 per week. AWW is your total gross wages over the past 52 weeks divided by the weeks you worked. For example, if you earned $60,000 over 50 weeks, your AWW is $1,200 and your weekly benefit would be $800.04.
In Pennsylvania, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits can last up to 500 weeks. Benefits end when you return to work, reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), or reach the statutory maximum, whichever comes first.
If your employer or insurer disputes your AWW calculation in Pennsylvania, you have 20 days to file a formal dispute with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Keep all pay stubs and time sheets for the past 12 months.
Yes. Most states, including Pennsylvania, impose a waiting period of 3 to 7 days before benefits start. If you are disabled beyond the retroactive threshold (typically 14-21 days), the waiting period days are usually paid retroactively, so a long-term injury results in benefits from day one.
In Pennsylvania, your AWW typically includes regular wages, predictable overtime, shift differentials, and in some cases regular bonuses or tips. Housing allowances and other fringe benefits may also count. One-time bonuses and irregular income are generally excluded. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation provides specific guidance on AWW components.
Yes. If you return to work in a limited capacity earning less than your pre-injury wage, you transition from Temporary Total Disability (TTD) to Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), also called wage differential benefits. TPD pays 67% of the gap between your pre-injury and current earnings, up to $1,394 per week.
Workers compensation weekly benefits are generally not subject to federal income tax under IRC Section 104(a)(1). They are also exempt from Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes. If you receive both workers comp and SSDI simultaneously, an offset rule may reduce your SSDI payment if combined benefits exceed 80% of pre-injury earnings.
From Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation and Pennsylvania law. Checked October 2026. Each rule links to its official source.
| Weekly benefit | Two-thirds (66 2/3%) of average weekly wage, with a minimum that is the lower of 90% of the worker's wage or 50% of the statewide average. Source |
|---|---|
| Weekly maximum | $1,394.00 per week for injuries occurring January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Resets every January 1. Source |
| Waiting period | No wage benefits for the first 7 days of disability; if disability lasts 14 days or more, the first 7 days are paid retroactively. Source |
| Tell your employer | Notify the employer within 21 days for benefits from day one; notice later than 120 days after the injury bars compensation. Source |
| Deadline to file a claim | File a claim petition within 3 years of the injury. If compensation was paid, 3 years from the most recent payment. Source |
| Settlement approval | Yes. A compromise and release must be approved by a Workers' Compensation Judge at a hearing. Source |
| Attorney fees | 20% of the amount awarded or of a compromise and release settlement; fees must be approved by the judge or Appeal Board. Source |
Rules change. Confirm deadlines with Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation or a licensed workers comp attorney before you rely on them.