Washington Workers’ Comp Weekly Benefit Calculator (2026)
Quick Answer: In Washington, workers’ comp (called “time loss compensation” through L&I) pays 60–75% of your gross average weekly wage, depending on your marital status and number of dependents, up to a maximum tied to 120% of the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). For injuries occurring in the 2025–2026 benefit year, the maximum weekly benefit is approximately $1,718, based on Washington’s 2025 SAWW of approximately $1,432 (source: Washington L&I, updated annually). Your exact rate depends on family status and must be verified directly with L&I at lni.wa.gov.
⚠️ This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Consult a licensed workers’ comp attorney in your state.
📣 From Shane
When I was injured and first got my time loss check, I assumed L&I would just automatically pay me correctly. They didn’t. My employer submitted my wage records without including my regular overtime, which shaved roughly $180 off my weekly benefit. Over a six-month claim, that’s over $4,600 I nearly lost permanently.
Living on 60% of your income is brutal. Rent doesn’t drop 40%. Groceries don’t, either. The reality is that most injured workers burn through savings in the first 60 days and then panic. If that’s you right now, know this: your benefit rate is calculated by law, and errors in your favor are rare — errors against you are not. Verify every number. This page gives you the exact tools to do that.
The Exact Washington L&I Time Loss Calculation Formula
Washington calculates time loss compensation under RCW 51.08.178 and WAC 296-14-522.
Step 1: Determine Your Average Weekly Wage (AWW)
Your AWW is calculated from your gross wages in the 12 months immediately preceding your injury date (or your full period of employment if less than 12 months). This includes:
| Wage Component | Included in AWW? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular hourly wages | ✅ Yes | Full gross amount |
| Overtime pay | ✅ Yes | All overtime hours and premium pay |
| Bonuses (regular/production) | ✅ Yes | If paid on a recurring basis |
| Tips | ✅ Yes | Must be documented |
| Second job wages | ✅ Yes | If employer knew about concurrent employment at time of hire |
| Seasonal pay gaps | ⚠️ Averaged | Divided across full 12-month period |
| Irregular one-time bonuses | ❌ Excluded | E.g., a one-time hiring bonus |
| Employer-paid benefits (health, etc.) | ❌ Excluded | Fringe benefits are not wages |
Formula:
AWW = Total Gross Wages Earned in 12 Months ÷ 52
If employed less than 12 months:
AWW = Total Gross Wages ÷ Number of Weeks Worked
Step 2: Apply Your Dependency Rate
Washington uses a tiered dependency multiplier — one of the few states that does this:
| Marital/Dependency Status | Percentage of AWW |
|---|---|
| Single, no dependents | 60% |
| Married / SRDP (State-Registered Domestic Partner), no children | 65% |
| Married/SRDP + 1 dependent child | 67% |
| Married/SRDP + 2 dependent children | 69% |
| Married/SRDP + 3 dependent children | 71% |
| Married/SRDP + 4 dependent children | 73% |
| Married/SRDP + 5+ dependent children | 75% (maximum) |
Note: “Dependent” means a child under 18, or a child 18–23 who is a full-time student, or a child of any age who is permanently disabled. You must notify L&I of your dependents — they will not ask.
Step 3: Apply the Maximum (and Minimum) Cap
- Maximum: 120% of the Washington SAWW (~$1,718/week for 2025–2026 benefit year)
- Minimum: 15% of the SAWW (~$215/week for the same period)
Weekly Benefit = AWW × Dependency Rate
Final Benefit = MIN(Weekly Benefit, Maximum Cap), MAX(Result, Minimum Cap)
Pre-Calculated Washington Time Loss Benefit Table (2026)
The table below shows estimated weekly benefits at the 60% (single/no dependents) and 75% (married, 5+ children) rates. Figures exceeding the ~$1,718 cap are capped accordingly. Verify your exact benefit with L&I.
| Gross AWW | 60% (Single) | 65% (Married) | 70% (Married+3) | 75% (Married+5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300 | $215* | $215* | $215* | $225 |
| $400 | $240 | $260 | $280 | $300 |
| $500 | $300 | $325 | $350 | $375 |
| $600 | $360 | $390 | $420 | $450 |
| $700 | $420 | $455 | $490 | $525 |
| $800 | $480 | $520 | $560 | $600 |
| $900 | $540 | $585 | $630 | $675 |
| $1,000 | $600 | $650 | $700 | $750 |
| $1,100 | $660 | $715 | $770 | $825 |
| $1,200 | $720 | $780 | $840 | $900 |
| $1,300 | $780 | $845 | $910 | $975 |
| $1,400 | $840 | $910 | $980 | $1,050 |
| $1,500 | $900 | $975 | $1,050 | $1,125 |
| $1,600 | $960 | $1,040 | $1,120 | $1,200 |
| $1,700 | $1,020 | $1,105 | $1,190 | $1,275 |
| $1,800 | $1,080 | $1,170 | $1,260 | $1,350 |
| $1,900 | $1,140 | $1,235 | $1,330 | $1,425 |
| $2,000 | $1,200 | $1,300 | $1,400 | $1,500 |
| $2,100 | $1,260 | $1,365 | $1,470 | $1,575 |
| $2,200 | $1,320 | $1,430 | $1,540 | $1,650 |
| $2,300 | $1,380 | $1,495 | $1,610 | $1,718* |
| $2,400 | $1,440 | $1,560 | $1,680 | $1,718* |
| $2,500 | $1,500 | $1,625 | $1,718* | $1,718* |
| $2,600 | $1,560 | $1,690 | $1,718* | $1,718* |
| $2,700 | $1,620 | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* |
| $2,800 | $1,680 | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* |
| $2,900 | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* |
| $3,000 | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* | $1,718* |
* = Minimum floor applied (~$215) or maximum cap applied (~$1,718). Verify all figures with L&I.
What the Law Says vs. What Actually Happens
What the law says: L&I must calculate your AWW using all qualifying gross wages from your record of employment for the 12 months before injury.
What actually happens: Your employer self-reports your wage information to L&I using Form F242-052-000. Common errors I’ve documented and attorneys confirm regularly:
- Overtime omitted: Employers report only base hourly wages, excluding overtime weeks. This is the single most common underpayment error.
- 12-month window truncated: If you were hired 8 months before injury, L&I may divide by 52 weeks instead of 34 weeks actually worked, artificially deflating your AWW.
- Second-job wages ignored: If L&I doesn’t know about your second employer, they won’t include it. You must proactively report this.
- Wrong dependency status: L&I defaults to the lowest rate until you self-certify your marital status and dependents.
How to catch it: Request a copy of your wage calculation worksheet from L&I (it’s your right). Compare it line-by-line to your last 12 pay stubs or W-2. If the numbers don’t match, file a protest within 60 days of receiving your first time loss payment. If you miss that window, you can still file an appeal with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA).
Real Case Example: Fluctuating Hours + Overtime
Worker Profile: Maria, a warehouse supervisor in Tacoma. Married, two dependent children. Injured her back in March 2026.
Wage History (prior 12 months):
– Regular wages: $48,000/year ($923/week base)
– Overtime in busy season (16 weeks): averaged $280/week additional
– Total gross wages: $48,000 + ($280 × 16) = $52,480
Correct AWW Calculation:
$52,480 ÷ 52 weeks = $1,009.23 AWW
Dependency Rate: Married + 2 children = 69%
Weekly Benefit:
$1,009.23 × 0.69 = $696.37/week
What her employer initially reported to L&I: Only base wages ($48,000), no overtime.
Incorrect AWW: $48,000 ÷ 52 = $923.08 × 0.69 = $636.92/week
Underpayment per week: $59.45
Over a 26-week claim: $1,545.70 in lost benefits — recovered after Maria filed a protest with her overtime pay stubs attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to receive my first time loss payment?
Direct Answer: L&I typically issues the first payment within 14–21 days of your claim being accepted. There is a 3-day waiting period before time loss begins (you are not compensated for the first 3 calendar days of disability unless your disability extends beyond 14 days, at which point those first 3 days become payable retroactively under RCW 51.32.090).
What actually happens: First payments are frequently delayed 3–5 weeks because employers are slow to submit wage records. You are entitled to interest on late payments under Washington law. Document every date. If your claim has been open for more than 21 days without a payment or a written denial, call L&I’s Claim and Account Center (1-800-547-8367) and get a reference number for every call. If you have a provider of record (your attending physician), their timely submission of Form 513-001 also gates your payment — follow up with them directly.
Q: Does workers’ comp in Washington cover 100% of my wage if I have partial disability?
Direct Answer: No. Partial disability (working reduced hours or a light-duty job at lower wages) is compensated at 80% of the wage loss difference, not at
More Washington Workers Comp Resources
See Also
- Washington Workers’ Compensation: The Complete Guide for Injured Workers (2026)
- Washington Workers’ Comp for Roofers: The Complete 2026 Guide
- Workers’ Comp for Security Guards in Washington State: The Complete 2026 Guide
- Washington Workers’ Comp for Healthcare Workers: The Complete Guide (2026)
- How Long Can You Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits in Washington State? (2024 Guide)
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