WSIA

From the Department of Labor & Industries:

Coming July 1: Changes to how dependents affect time-loss calculations

Changes to how eligible dependents are counted for time-loss benefit calculations will take effect July 1.

The changes are in line with provisions of Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1788, which the Washington State Legislature passed last year.

The legislation updates existing state laws, Revised Code of Washington
(RCW) 51.32.010 and 51.32.060, to allow new time-loss calculations.

The new time-loss calculations in RCW 51.32.060 will apply only to claims with a date of injury (DOI) or date of manifestation (DOM) of July 1, 2026 or later.

Claims with a DOI or DOM prior to July 1, 2026 will still follow the previous method of calculation under RCW 51.32.060(2), which provides for:

• 60% for the worker.
• +5% additional for a spouse or registered domestic partner.
• +2% for each eligible dependent, with a maximum of +10% for five or more dependent children.

Updated calculations for time-loss entitlement will apply for claims reported with a DOI or DOM on or after July 1, 2026 will follow RCW 51.32.060(1) which provides calculations per the chart below:

The percentage range of time-loss entitlement has not changed. It is still 60% to 75% of the worker’s gross monthly wage at the date of injury. The award is now fixed for each family status, rather than being calculated for spouse, and a “per child” award.

For workers with a date of injury or date of manifestation on or after July 1, 2026,
RCW 51.32.010(2)(b)(i) the payment to an alternate recipient is set at 2% for each eligible child.

An alternate recipient is a person with legal custody of a worker’s child, or an eligible child who is 18 or older. It also directs that the amount paid to the worker or surviving spouse will be reduced by amounts paid to these alternate recipients.

This also affects workers whose time-loss entitlements are at 15% of the state’s minimum average wage. The calculation for single workers now can allow a $10 addition for up to six or more eligible dependents. This information will be added to the Minimum Time-Loss Rates chart published on the L&I website by July 1, when new minimum rates are published.

For more information, see the Claims Adjudication Guidelines “Time-Loss” chapter.

For questions about this change, email the Self-Insurance training team.