Getting hurt at work is not ideal. You worry about losing income as you recover from your injury. Fortunately, Iowa allows you to recover around 80% of your spendable weekly earnings under the state-mandated maximum limits in workers’ compensation claims.
How much can you get from a weekly check?
Iowa has set maximum limits to keep the system fair. If your injury occurred between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, these caps apply:
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) rate: Capped at $2,162
- Temporary total disability (TTD), healing period (HP) and permanent total disability (PTD) rate: Capped at $2,350
Even if the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) has released a new adjusted limit, the computation for your weekly check will follow these rates. This means that if 80% of your pay is higher, your benefit cannot exceed either of the assigned financial thresholds.
Will you receive a gas money allowance for doctor visits?
Gas prices can be high, especially when you lose wages due to your injury. Under Iowa law, your employer’s insurance must reimburse your travel expenses for medical appointments. These include, but are not limited to, visits to your treating doctor, physical therapy sessions and pharmacy trips to pick up prescribed medication. For the same fiscal cycle, the medical mileage rate is $0.70 per mile.
It is advisable to track your mileage, so you have evidence to present when claiming the reimbursement. Ensure you create a log of trip dates and exact round-trip mileage, and keep parking and toll receipts.
Seek legal guidance for accurate benefit computations
Calculating your weekly workers’ comp benefit rate is simple but can be confusing if you are unsure what to do. Instead of relying on guesswork, seeking assistance from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Iowa can help you determine your benefits. Should you encounter miscalculations from insurance adjusters, they can also provide a breakdown of what you should receive.