Can You Collect Multiple Types of Wage Loss Benefits at the Same Time in Minnesota?

In most cases, you cannot collect more than one type of workers’ compensation wage-loss benefit at the same time in Minnesota. However, you may qualify for different benefit categories at different stages of your recovery, and some outside benefits can overlap with workers’ compensation under certain conditions. 

What Types of Lost Wage Benefits Are Available?

Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system offers several distinct benefit categories, and each one serves a different purpose depending on the severity and duration of your injury. Understanding which benefits apply to your work accident injuries and how to maximize your recovery can mean the difference between a partial payout and the full compensation you are owed.

Medical Expenses

Workers’ compensation in Minnesota covers all reasonable and necessary medical care tied to your workplace injury with no dollar cap on benefits. The types of treatment that qualify include:

• Doctor visits and specialist appointments
• Hospital stays and surgical procedures
• Mental health treatment
• Prescription medications
• Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant (QRC) services and rehabilitation plan costs
• Medical equipment like braces, crutches, and wheelchairs
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to medical appointments

Temporary Disability

When your injury completely prevents you from working for a limited period, you may qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits equal to two-thirds of your gross weekly wage, up to the maximum weekly benefit allowed under Minnesota Statute § 176.101. If you return to lighter duties but earn less than your pre-injury wages, you shift to Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits, which cover two-thirds of the difference between your old and new earnings. 

Minnesota law limits TTD to 130 weeks and TPD to 275 weeks for injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2018, or until 450 weeks after the date of injury, whichever occurs first.

Permanent Disability

Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits compensate you for a lasting loss of function, rated as a percentage of whole-body impairment under guidelines that the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry establishes. If your injuries leave you completely unable to hold any gainful employment, you may qualify for permanent total disability (PTD), which pays ongoing benefits subject to offsets for certain government disability programs after the first $25,000 in payments.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If your work injury prevents you from returning to your former job, Minnesota law entitles you to vocational rehabilitation services designed to help you retrain for a new position. A qualified rehabilitation consultant develops a plan tailored to your abilities, and you can receive wage-loss benefits while actively participating in an approved retraining program.

Death Benefits

When a workplace injury or illness results in a worker’s death, Minnesota law provides financial support to surviving dependents. The workers’ compensation system offers the following death benefits:

• Weekly wage-replacement payments to a surviving spouse
• Dependent allowances for qualifying children
• Burial expenses up to the statutory maximum
• Continued support for other wholly dependent family members

Can You Combine Benefits in Minnesota?

While you generally cannot stack two types of workers’ compensation wage-loss benefits in the same pay period, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation alongside other separate benefit programs. Here are some common overlap scenarios to be aware of:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): You can receive SSDI and workers’ compensation simultaneously, but your combined benefits may be subject to an offset that reduces the total amount. Federal law caps the combined payment at 80% of your pre-injury average earnings.
• Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) disability benefits: Public employees who participate in PERA may collect disability payments alongside workers’ compensation. However, the combined total is generally capped at 100% of your salary at the time of the disability (or 125% if you have returned to work in a different capacity).
• Unemployment benefits: Minnesota allows you to collect unemployment and workers’ compensation at the same time in limited circumstances, but doing so can create complications. Receiving unemployment benefits may signal to the insurer that you are able and available to work, which could undermine your disability claim.

If you receive disability benefits through a state retirement system like PERA, the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), or the Teachers Retirement Association (TRA), those amounts may be deducted from your workers’ compensation payments. Offset calculations can vary significantly depending on whether you receive disability benefits or retirement benefits.

Recovering Your Lost Wages After a Workplace Injury

Are you worried that you might be leaving money on the table or missing out on benefits you rightfully earned? At Atkinson Gerber Law Office, our team has 60 years of combined experience, and we will work through every benefit available in your case. We calculate what you should be receiving and pursue the full amount on your behalf. 

Call us today at (651) 333-3636 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Minnesota workers’ compensation attorneys.

We serve Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota. Visit any of our offices at:

Atkinson Gerber Law Office – Minneapolis Office

10 S 5th Street Suite 955
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Toll Free: (866) 635 9200
Phone: (651) 412 1470

Atkinson Gerber Law Office – St. Paul’s Office

6 Pinetree Drive Suite 225
St Paul, MN 55112

Toll Free: (866) 635 9200
Phone: (651) 412 1470