If you’ve been injured at work in California and can’t return to your old job, you may be entitled to more than just medical care and disability payments. The Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher (SJDB) is a benefit designed to help injured workers get back into the workforce by covering the cost of retraining or further education.
Worth up to $6,000, this voucher can be used for tuition, supplies, licensing exams, and even career counseling. But not every injured worker automatically qualifies: the eligibility rules are specific, and understanding them is the first step to claiming the benefits you deserve.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to qualify for a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher in California, what it covers, and how an attorney can help if your employer or insurer delays the process.
List of Contents
What Is a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher?
A Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher (SJDB) is a benefit available under California workers’ compensation law for employees who are injured on the job and cannot return to their previous position. Instead of leaving injured workers without options, the state provides this voucher to help cover the costs of retraining and re-entering the workforce in a new role.
The voucher is non-transferable and worth up to $6,000, which can be used for education-related expenses. This includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, and even the tools required for an approved training program. The goal is to give injured workers the resources they need to gain new skills, earn certifications, and secure employment in a field they can safely work in.
In short, the SJDB isn’t cash compensation; it’s a structured benefit designed to help you move forward with your career after a work-related injury.
Who Qualifies for the Voucher?
Not every injured worker in California will be eligible for the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher. To qualify, certain conditions must be met under state workers’ compensation law:
- Permanent Partial Disability: You must have a permanent disability from your work injury, but it does not have to prevent you from all types of work.
- No Suitable Job Offered: Your employer must be unable (or unwilling) to offer you regular, modified, or alternative work that you can perform within 60 days of your doctor declaring you “permanent and stationary” (meaning your condition has stabilized).
- Date of Injury: The injury must have occurred on or after January 1, 2004, which is when the SJDB program took effect.
In short, you may qualify if your injury leaves you unable to return to your old position and your employer doesn’t provide a job that fits your medical restrictions. In these cases, the voucher becomes your pathway to retraining and re-entering the workforce in a new, sustainable role.
What the Voucher Covers
The Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher is designed to help injured workers gain the skills and credentials they need to return to the workforce. While it can’t be used like cash, it does cover a wide range of education and training expenses, up to a total of $6,000.
Here’s what the voucher can be applied toward:
- Tuition and Fees: Enrollment costs for accredited schools, vocational programs, or training centers.
- Books and Supplies: Materials required for coursework or training.
- Tools and Equipment: Items needed to participate in a program or learn a new trade.
- Licensing and Certification Exams: Costs for professional exams that open doors to new job opportunities.
- Career Counseling and Resume Services: Support to help you prepare for the job market after retraining.
By covering these essentials, the voucher provides a pathway for injured workers to re-skill, improve their employability, and build a sustainable career in a new field.
The Application Process
Applying for and using a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher can feel overwhelming, but the process is fairly straightforward once you know the steps. Here’s how it works:
- Employer Issues the Voucher
- If your employer cannot offer you regular, modified, or alternative work, they must issue the voucher within 20 days after your treating doctor declares you “permanent and stationary.”
- Choose a Training or Education Program
- You can use the voucher at accredited schools, training centers, or programs that qualify under California’s workers’ compensation guidelines.
- Submit the Voucher and Receipts
- Once you enroll, you’ll use the voucher to pay for tuition, supplies, or related expenses. In some cases, you may need to provide receipts for reimbursement.
- Keep Deadlines in Mind
- The voucher is valid for two years from the date it’s issued, or up to five years from the date of injury, whichever comes later. If you don’t use it within this window, you lose the benefit.
The application process is time-sensitive, which makes it important to act quickly once the voucher is issued.
Common Issues & Delays
While the Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher can be a valuable benefit, the process doesn’t always go as smoothly as it should. Many injured workers face obstacles that delay or even prevent them from getting their voucher. Some of the most common issues include:
- Employers Not Issuing the Voucher on Time
By law, the voucher should be provided within 20 days if no suitable work is offered. Unfortunately, some employers or insurance carriers delay or overlook this responsibility. - Disputes About “Suitable Work”
Employers may argue that they have offered a modified or alternative job, even if it doesn’t truly fit your medical restrictions. This can lead to disputes about whether you actually qualify for the voucher. - Lack of Clear Communication
Injured workers often aren’t informed about their rights to the voucher or how to use it, leaving them confused and at risk of missing deadlines. - Expired Vouchers
If the voucher isn’t used within the allowed time frame (two years from issue or five years from injury, whichever is later), it expires and can’t be reinstated.
These challenges make it important to stay informed about your rights and, when necessary, to get legal support to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.
The Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher is more than just a benefit; it’s an opportunity to start fresh when a work injury prevents you from returning to your old job. With up to $6,000 available for retraining, education, and career support, it can be the key to building a sustainable future in a new role.
But getting the voucher isn’t always easy. Delays, disputes, and lack of clear communication often stand in the way. That’s why having the right guidance can make all the difference.
At the Law Office of Jon Marlowe, we fight to protect injured workers’ rights and ensure they receive the benefits they’re entitled to. If you believe you qualify for a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher, or if your employer or insurer is delaying the process, don’t wait.