Did you know the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will partially reimburse you for wages paid to an injured worker who has returned to a medically approved light/modified duty job? L&I’s Stay at Work program offers employers an incentive to get injured workers back to work before they’re fully released. Stay at Work incentives include: (1) wage reimbursement of 50 percent of your employee’s base wages for up to 66 light duty working days (up to $10,000); and (2) expense reimbursement for certain purchases that are necessary for your employee to perform the light duty job (tools and equipment, training, and clothing, each capped at certain thresholds). The steps to apply for Stay at Work reimbursements are relatively easy: first, ensure you obtain an approved light duty job description from the attending provider; second, employ the injured worker in the approved light duty job; and, finally, apply for reimbursement through L&I’s website. The monetary benefit from Stay at Work reimbursements can be meaningful, so it’s worth exploring how your company can take advantage of the program.
Tips: Getting a light duty job description approved by the injured worker’s attending provider is a crucial part of qualifying for the Stay at Work program. Even if you don’t apply for Stay at Work reimbursements, offering a valid light duty job is still worthwhile since it will help you stop time loss exposure (as we previously discussed). If you use Vigilant to manage your Washington workers’ comp claims, your assigned Vigilant claims manager can help you create the light duty job description, get approval from the attending healthcare provider, and ensure that you make a valid light duty job offer. The remaining steps to claim your Stay at Work reimbursements can be completed through L&I’s Stay at Work program website, which offers helpful instructions on how to complete the forms, including several upcoming webinars that walk you through the process. For questions about creating and obtaining approval for light duty positions, contact your Vigilant claims manager. For questions about L&I’s Stay at Work program, contact the agency directly by email (StayAtWork@Lni.wa.gov) or phone (866-406-2482).
