Maximum and Minimum Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Each year on October 1^st, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) sets the maximum and minimum workers compensation rate for weekly benefits. To see how these rates affect your benefits, speak with a Massachusetts workers compensation lawyer. For a general idea of how the maximum and minimum rates could affect you, read on.

Maximum Weekly Massachusetts Workers Compensation Rate

 

As of October 1, 2015, the maximum weekly compensation rate in the state of Massachusetts (also know as the maximum State’s Average Weekly Wage or SAWW) is $1,256,47. This means that even if your weekly wage is more than this, you still cannot receive workers’ comp benefits exceeding this amount.

Minimum Weekly Compensation Rate

 

As of October 1, 2015 Massachusetts’ minimum average weekly wage is $251.29. This means that if your benefit amount calculation, based on your average weekly wage, is lower than the minimum SAWW, you will still receive at least $251.29 each week in compensation, depending on your disability.

Calculating Your Average Weekly Wage

 

To understand how these maximum and minimum weekly compensation rates work in practice, you should first calculate your average weekly wage. To do this, follow these steps:

 

1)      Take the sum of your total gross earning before taxes and benefits (and including overtime or bonus pay).

2)      Divide this amount by 52 week, if you’ve been at the job for at least this amount of time, OR divide the number of weeks you’ve worked at the job

 

Then you have your average weekly wage, which can give you an idea of what to expect regarding your weekly benefit amount.

Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Comp Attorney

 

Figuring out your estimated weekly benefits based on your average weekly wage can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure which type of benefits you’re eligible for. Massachusetts’ maximum and minimum average weekly wages can also add confusion. If you need help understanding any part of the workers’ comp process or want an estimate of your benefits, speaking with a Massachusetts workers compensation lawyer can be beneficial. Contact us today by calling 844-311-7900 or by filling out our FREE CASE EVALUATION.