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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Workers’ Compensation

As part of its ongoing state benefits programs for workers, the State of California provides for workers’ compensation benefits when a worker has been injured while performing his or her job duties. These state provided benefits are also available to otherwise eligible employees who are unable to perform their usual job functions because they have been exposed to and/or have contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of business.

Government or Lead Agency

State of California, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)

Dates Available

Ongoing

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

For guidance on eligibility requirements, please see below for a list of resources. Generally, in order to be eligible for these benefits, a treating doctor must provide a note that the employee is unable to perform his or her usual job functions for more than three days or the employee must be hospitalized overnight, and while the employee recovers, the employer must not offer alternate work that pays his or her usual wages.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Workers’ compensation claim should be filed no earlier than the first day that family leave begins, but no later than 41 days after such family leave begins.

Contact for More Information

The Division of Workers’ Compensation may be contacted at dwc@dir.ca.gov.

List of Additional Information

Summary of benefits: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/#chart

Additional guidance on obtaining workers’ compensation: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/InjuredWorker.htm

How to file a workers’ compensation claim: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FileAClaim.htm


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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