Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

In Georgia, TTD benefits are generally paid at two-thirds (66 2/3%) of your average weekly wage, subject to a maximum weekly amount set by state law. The exact maximum depends on the date of your injury, because the legislature periodically adjusts it.

For example, if your average weekly wage was $600, your TTD benefit would generally be about $400 per week, as long as that figure falls below the state maximum in effect for your injury date. Because the calculation starts with your average weekly wage, an error in that number directly affects your TTD check.

TTD benefits are not taxed as income, which is one reason the two-thirds figure is used rather than full wage replacement.

You generally become eligible for temporary total disability benefits when an authorized treating physician takes you completely out of work, or when your employer cannot accommodate the work restrictions your doctor has assigned. In Georgia, there is typically a short waiting period before benefits begin.

Benefits usually start after you have been unable to work for more than seven days. If your disability lasts longer than 21 consecutive days, you may also be paid for that initial waiting period. Because these timing rules can affect what you are owed, it helps to track your missed work carefully.

Medical documentation is critical here. Clear records from your treating physician showing that you cannot work are what support your right to TTD benefits.

For most non-catastrophic injuries in Georgia, TTD benefits are limited to a maximum of 400 weeks from the date of injury. This cap reflects the temporary nature of the benefit and the expectation that most workers will eventually recover or reach maximum medical improvement.

In cases involving catastrophic injuries—such as severe brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations, or other life-altering conditions—the 400-week limit does not apply, and benefits may continue much longer. Determining whether an injury qualifies as catastrophic can significantly change the value of a claim.

Benefits can also end earlier if you return to work, if your doctor releases you, or if the insurer successfully changes your benefit status. A Savannah workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand how long your benefits should continue.

Insurers can attempt to suspend or reduce temporary total disability benefits in several situations, such as when a doctor releases you to return to work, when you are offered suitable light-duty work, or when you reach maximum medical improvement. Some of these changes require specific notice and paperwork to be valid.

If your benefits are cut off and you believe you are still unable to work, you have the right to dispute that decision before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Acting quickly is important, because delays can affect your income and your claim.